Mozambican media say at least 17 people died when heavy rains triggered the partial collapse of a huge mound of garbage in Mozambique's capital, Maputo.

Radio Mocambique reported Monday that rescue workers believe more bodies could be buried in the debris at the Hulene garbage dump.

It said five houses were buried in the disaster and that some families in the area have fled their homes for fear of another collapse. </s> At least 17 people were killed and several others were injured when a massive garbage mound partially collapsed in Mozambique’s capital Monday after heavy rains fell on Maputo, local media reported.

Rescue workers believe there may be more bodies buried in the garbage dump wreckage located in an impoverished neighborhood of Hulene, Radio Mocambique reported.

Five houses were buried by the natural disaster thus far, while many families have fled their homes for fear of another collapse.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. </s> Rescuers recover a body as they search for survivors at the collapse of a garbage mound in Maputo, Mozambique, Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. Mozambican media say at least 17 people died when heavy rains triggered the partial collapse of the mound garbage. (AP Photo/Ferhat Momade)

JOHANNESBURG — Heavy rains triggered the partial collapse of a huge mound of garbage in Mozambique's capital on Monday, killing as many as 17 people who were buried by debris.

Authorities believe more bodies could be buried at the Hulene garbage dump on the outskirts of Maputo, and a search was underway. The garbage in the poor, densely populated area where the disaster happened rose to the height of a three-story building, according to the Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Twelve people died, Lusa reported. Radio Mocambique put the death toll at 17. Half a dozen homes were destroyed and some residents in the area fled for fear of another collapse.

"The mountains of garbage collapsed on the houses and many families were still inside these residences," Fatima Belchoir, a national disaster official, told Lusa. Authorities are trying to help people who lost their homes, she said.

The Hulene garbage dump is the largest such facility in Maputo. People often comb through the garbage, searching for food and items to sell.

Health workers have long raised concerns about the impact of the fumes, flies and other hazards of the dump on the surrounding community. Municipal officials have previously discussed the closure of the dump. </s> Heavy rains triggered the partial collapse of a huge mound of garbage in Mozambique's capital overnight, killing 17 people who were buried by debris.

Rescuers search for survivors at the collapse of a garbage mound in Maputo, Mozambique.

Authorities believe more bodies could be buried at the Hulene garbage dump on the outskirts of Maputo, and a search was underway.

The garbage in the poor, densely populated area where the disaster happened rose to the height of a three-story building, according to the Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Lusa and Radio Mocambique both reported 17 deaths. Half a dozen homes were destroyed and some residents in the area fled for fear of another collapse.

"The mountains of garbage collapsed on the houses and many families were still inside these residences," Fatima Belchoir, a national disaster official, told Lusa. Authorities are trying to help people who lost their homes, she said.

The Hulene garbage dump is the largest such facility in Maputo. People often comb through the garbage, searching for food and items to sell.

Health workers have long raised concerns about the impact of the fumes, flies and other hazards of the dump on the surrounding community. Municipal officials have previously discussed the closure of the dump. </s> Johannesburg - Heavy rains triggered the partial collapse of a huge mound of garbage in Mozambique's capital on Monday, killing as many as 17 people who were buried by debris.

Authorities believe more bodies could be buried at the Hulene garbage dump on the outskirts of Maputo, and a search was underway. The garbage in the poor, densely populated area where the disaster happened rose to the height of a three-story building, according to the Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Twelve people died, Lusa reported. Radio Mocambique put the death toll at 17. Half a dozen homes were destroyed and some residents in the area fled for fear of another collapse.

"The mountains of garbage collapsed on the houses and many families were still inside these residences," Fatima Belchoir, a national disaster official, told Lusa. Authorities are trying to help people who lost their homes, she said.

The Hulene garbage dump is the largest such facility in Maputo. People often comb through the garbage, searching for food and items to sell.

Health workers have long raised concerns about the impact of the fumes, flies and other hazards of the dump on the surrounding community. Municipal officials have previously discussed the closure of the dump.

KEEP UPDATED on the latest news from around the continent by subscribing to our FREE newsletter, Hello Africa. </s> People watch as rescuers search for bodies of victims buried under collapsed garbage piles in Maputo, Mozambique on Feb. 19, 2018. Antonio Silva / EPA

Twelve people died, Lusa reported. Radio Mocambique put the death toll at 17. Half a dozen homes were destroyed and some residents in the area fled for fear of another collapse.

“The mountains of garbage collapsed on the houses and many families were still inside these residences,” Fatima Belchoir, a national disaster official, told Lusa. Authorities are trying to help people who lost their homes, she said.

The Hulene garbage dump is the largest such facility in Maputo. People often comb through the garbage, searching for food and items to sell.

Health workers have long raised concerns about the impact of the fumes, flies and other hazards of the dump on the surrounding community. Municipal officials have previously discussed the closure of the dump.

Residents stand next to an excavator working at the site of a dump collapse in Maputo, Mozambique on Feb. 19, 2018. Mauro Vombe / AFP – Getty Images </s> Torrential rains sparked the partial collapse of a 50-foot high mountain of garbage in Mozambique’s capital Monday, killing at least 17 people, and possibly trapping others under debris, according to reports.

A search began shortly after the garbage gave way, as officials believe more bodies were submerged under the Hulene garbage dump outside of Maputo, the Associated Press reported.

The garbage pile accumulated to the size of a three-story building, according to the Portuguese news agency Lusa.

"The mountains of garbage collapsed on the houses and many families were still inside these residences," Fatima Belchoir, a national disaster official, told Lusa.

"Up to now, 17 dead bodies were recovered," said Despedida Rita, a counselor for the Ka Mavota Municipal District. "We fear more might be unaccounted for so we will keep searching for bodies buried underneath the rubbish pile."

Twelve people died, Lusa said. But Radio Mocambique logged the death toll at 17, according to Fox News. The mound reportedly destroyed five homes.

Displaced Maputo resident Maria Huo told BBC News that the accident also injured her son.

"I live in this neighborhood because I have nowhere to go" she said. "Had the government told me to go to another place to live, I would have left here."

The area, which is densely populated and lacking resources, has seen heavy rain and flooding since Sunday, ​BBC reported.

Authorities have warned residents in the past to evacuate their homes, which were illegally built, according to Reuters.

Residents frequent the Hulene garbage dump, looking for food and things to sell. Municipal officials have engaged in talks to have the site shut down. </s> As many as 17 people have died after heavy rains triggered the partial collapse of a huge mound of rubbish in Mozambique’s capital.

Authorities believe more bodies could be buried at the Hulene garbage dump on the outskirts of Maputo, and a search is under way.

The refuse in the poor, densely populated area had risen to the height of a three-storey building, according to the Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Half a dozen homes were destroyed and some residents in the area fled for fear of another collapse.

Fatima Belchoir, a national disaster official, said: “The mountains of garbage collapsed on the houses and many families were still inside these residences.”

Authorities are trying to help people who lost their homes, she said.

The Hulene garbage dump is the largest such facility in Maputo. People often comb through the garbage, searching for food and items to sell.

Health workers have long raised concerns about the impact of the fumes, flies and other hazards of the dump on the surrounding community. Municipal officials have previously discussed the closure of the dump. </s> Colombo, April 15 - At least 16 persons died after a rubbish dump collapsed and buried their homes under tonnes of garbage outside the Sri Lankan capital, officials said. Sixteen people died and seven were injured after the collapse of the Meethotamulla rubbish dump, a worker at the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre told Efe news.

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A collapse at a garbage dump in Mozambique kills at least 17 people.