The Americas

Guatemala declares 24 missing in garbage landslide at dump

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Rescue workers search the city dump for survivors one day after trash collapsed on workers in Guatemala City, Thursday, April 28, 2016. Rescue workers are picking through garbage looking for bodies or possible survivors after the massive slope of trash collapsed, killing at least four people. Authorities say about 1,000 people worked in that area of the dump. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (The Associated Press)

The relative of a missing garbage-picker cries as she waits for information at the entrance of the city garbage dump in Guatemala City, Thursday, April 28, 2016. Rescue workers are picking through garbage looking for bodies or possible survivors a day after the massive slope of trash collapsed, killing at least four people. Authorities say about 1,000 people worked in that area of the dump. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (The Associated Press)

Garbage-pickers, known locally as “Guajeros,” wait for information about fellow workers after a fatal trash slide, at the entrance of the city dump in Guatemala City, Thursday, April 28, 2016. Rescue workers are picking through garbage looking for bodies or possible survivors after the massive slope of trash collapsed, killing at least four people. Authorities say about 1,000 people worked in that area of the dump. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) (The Associated Press)

Guatemala City authorities say that 24 people are listed as missing two days after a massive slope of trash collapsed, killing at least four people.

Hundreds of rescuers are still picking through the garbage dump looking for survivors or bodies.

The city spokesman said Friday the problem is that many people work informally as garbage pickers at the dump, and only some were officially registered as present when the collapse occurred Wednesday.

City spokesman Carlos Sandoval said that "of the missing people, seven are registered" as garbage pickers, who poke through trash looking for recyclable materials to sell.

The others are believed to be people who were working without permission at the dump.

About 1,200 registered garbage pickers work at the massive dump.