People picking through waste were buried when slope of refuse collapsed, possibly due to heavy rain, say Guatemala City authorities

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Three people are dead following the collapse of a massive slope of trash at a garbage dump in Guatemala City.

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Recent rains may have contributed to garbage-slides at the dump. About 10 people were taken for medical treatment after the collapse on Wednesday, which also partly buried a garbage truck.

Volunteer fire department spokesman William Gonzalez said the dead included two men and a woman. The dead are believed to be garbage-pickers known as guajeros who search through the trash looking for recyclable material.

Authorities said that about 1,000 people worked in that area of the dump and had been asked to evacuate but some refused.