Mozambique trash-pile collapse

At least 17 people were killed in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, on Feb. 19 when a large trash pile collapsed onto their homes. Rescue efforts were ongoing as of press time, and authorities were unsure how many people were still trapped.

The nearly 50-foot-tall pile fell at 3 a.m. during heavy rains, which also caused flooding in other areas of the city. Residents of the area had been told to leave in the past, as the homes are considered “illegal,” but few in the area could afford to move elsewhere.