- Title: Twenty-four people missing after deadly garbage dump accident in Guatemala
- Date: 29th April 2016
- Summary: GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA (APRIL 28, 2016) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF ACCIDENT SCENE AT GARBAGE DUMP DIGGER GOING THROUGH GARBAGE, SEARCHING FOR MISSING GENERAL VIEW OF RESCUE TEAMS ON SCENE RESCUE TEAMS DIGGING THROUGH GARBAGE LOOKING FOR SURVIVORS TEAM CARRYING VICTIM OUT OF DUMP RESCUE TEAMS DIGGING THROUGH GARBAGE LOOKING FOR SURVIVORS TEAM CARRYING OUT BODY FAMILY MEMB
- Embargoed: 14th May 2016 23:43
- Keywords: missing garbage dump cave in survivors search
- Location: GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA
- City: GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA
- Country: Guatemala
- Topics: Disaster/Accidents
- Reuters ID: LVA0014FFBEBN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: At least four people died and dozens are missing in Guatemala City after a collapse at the capital's largest garbage dump, authorities reported on Friday (April 29).
People sifting through the dump, which receives about 500 truckloads of trash every day, were caught unawares on Wednesday (April 27) when part of the massive heap of garbage caved in, according to authorities in Guatemala City.
Rescue teams arrived at the scene after the collapse as they raced against time to find those trapped alive. Authorities report that 24 people are still unaccounted for.
Carlos Sandoval from Guatemala City Municipality briefed media on the incident.
"The day of the incident, in the morning hours - at exactly 6:51 [1251 GMT] some tremors were felt within the capital. It is important that for the analysis that is taking place this be taken into account and that the search continues," he said.
A day after the tragedy families began the arduous task of burying their loved ones.
Dominga Sanchez recounted how she found her husband's body amongst the rubbish.
"And when we arrived all the earth came down. We ran, we left the area and he (husband) did not appear. We were all crazy looking for his family and there we found him but he was already dead," she said.
Amongst those missing are people who entered the dump illegally in search of items for resale. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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