Toxic Smoke in Praia: Cape Verde Probes Landfill Fires
Residents living on the outskirts of Praia, Cape Verde’s capital, are demanding urgent action as toxic smoke from recurring landfill fires chokes nearby communities. In response to the growing outcry, the Praia City Council announced today that it is launching a formal investigation into the blaze-plagued site.
The Association for the Development of São Francisco raised the alarm on social media, reporting that several neighborhoods have been “constantly affected by dense clouds of smoke.” The organization slammed the situation as “incomprehensible” and “unsustainable,” noting that the air quality is severely impacting the environment and endangering the health of vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those with chronic respiratory issues.
Suspicions of Foul Play
In a public statement issued Monday, the Praia City Council expressed regret over the situation and confirmed that a multidisciplinary team has been formed to investigate the origin of the “successive fires” and hold those responsible accountable. The municipality also revealed a troubling discovery: a drainage system designed to remove flammable liquids—byproducts of waste decomposition—has been “frequently found closed, for reasons still unknown.”
The frequency of these incidents has reached a breaking point. The council acknowledged that at least four major fires have broken out at the landfill since the start of the year, occurring in February, April, May, and June. The most recent blaze ignited on May 31 and took firefighters five days to fully extinguish.
Emergency Measures Underway
To prevent further flare-ups, the city has heightened surveillance and altered its waste management protocols. Authorities stated that heavy machinery is now being used to ensure all incoming waste is immediately covered with soil, a technique intended to isolate the trash and prevent the buildup of flammable gases.
While the city council reiterated its “full solidarity” with the affected populations, residents remain skeptical that these measures will be enough to stop the recurring environmental crisis that has turned the Santiago Island landfill into a persistent public health hazard.
Image: Pexels – Collab Media
