Mozambican authorities are, at last, moving all the families still living in the shadow of the gigantic rubbish tip in the outskirts of the country’s capital Maputo to safer areas.

Heavy rains caused huge mounds of waste, some 15m (49ft) high, to collapse onto seven homes yesterday morning, killing at least 17 people, including a two-year-old child.

Around 80 families who are still living front of the towering mountain of rubbish are being moved to temporary accommodation in another nieghbourhood of the city, says Minister of State Administration Carmelita Namashalua.

She told the BBC the move was necessary because they could be at risk if there is any further collapse

The government says search and rescue efforts will continue at the rubbish site until all survivors and missing people are accounted for.