The Government of Sierra Leone has confirmed that 17 Sierra Leonean nationals have died following a devastating landfill landslide in Gbessia, Conakry, Guinea.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation made the disclosure in an update issued on Friday, August 28, 2026, following its earlier statement on the disaster.
According to the Ministry, a joint identification exercise conducted by Guinean authorities and officials from the Sierra Leone Embassy in Guinea at designated hospital mortuaries in Conakry confirmed that the deceased Sierra Leoneans comprise 14 men and three women.
The Government of Guinea has reported a total of 34 fatalities from the landslide, while identification and recovery operations remain ongoing.
The Sierra Leone Embassy is continuing to work closely with Guinean authorities to verify outstanding cases and establish the whereabouts of people who may still be missing.
Meanwhile, 54 Sierra Leonean survivors have been identified. They include 32 women, 17 men and five minors.
The Embassy said immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, clothing and other essential supplies, has been provided to the survivors. Further consular and humanitarian needs are also being assessed in coordination with the relevant authorities.
The Government of Sierra Leone has expressed its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the Sierra Leonean nationals who lost their lives, while extending solidarity to the Government and people of Guinea following the tragedy.
The Ministry also commended the Government of Guinea for its cooperation and assistance during the ongoing recovery, identification and humanitarian response efforts.
The Sierra Leone Embassy remains engaged with Guinean authorities and affected Sierra Leonean families as efforts continue to account for missing persons and provide support to survivors.
The Ministry has urged the public to exercise caution when sharing information about casualties and missing persons, stressing that the situation remains sensitive and evolving.
It encouraged the public to rely only on officially verified information regarding the identities of victims and the status of missing persons.
