3 day mourning declared in Ethiopia as Rubbish Dump collapse, kills 72

rubbish dump kills 72 in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the rubbish dump collapse in Addis Ababa. A landslide at a vast rubbish dump at the week destroyed makeshift houses and killed 72 people, as rescue work continues.

Many are still missing and authorities fear the death toll could rise even further. Rescue operations have been going on day and night at the site and city authorities say they will continue until everyone is accounted for.

rubbish dump kills 72 in Ethiopia

Family members are waiting at the site to hear news of their missing loved ones. Residents say an ongoing construction of a biogas plant caused it but the government has dismissed the claims insisting people had refused an offer to be relocated, BBC reports. The country’s prime minister has pledged to carry out an investigation of the disaster.