A massive mound of rubbish has killed at least 16 people including four children and displaced more than 600 after it collapsed on their homes in Sri Lanka on Friday night.
The estimated 300-foot dump collapsed after flames engulfed it late on Friday and witnesses said around 100 houses could have been buried.
The tragedy occurred near Sri Lanka's capital Colombo during festivities to mark the local new year.
The site had been used to dump Colombo's garbage for the past few years as authorities worked to improve the capital.
However, residents living in tiny homes in the area had been protesting against the dump and claimed that it was a health hazard. Four people were rescued from underneath the mound, but it was unclear whether any others were buried, said military spokesman Roshan Seneviratne after soldiers searched the site.
Mr Seneviratne said that 625 people whose homes were either destroyed or under threat were being housed in nearby schools.
Sri Lankan military personnel stand among damaged homes at the site of a collapsed rubbish dump in Colombo. Rescuers searched for survivors after 145 homes were destroyed. At least 16 people have been killed
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