Hundreds feared dead in mudslide near freetown

Hundreds of people are feared dead after a mudslide on the

outskirts of Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, officials and

witnesses say.

Sierra Leone's national broadcaster announced late on

Monday that the death toll had risen above 300.

Initial Red Cross estimates said as many as 3,000 people were

left homeless by the disaster and that figure was expected to

rise. Communications and electricity also were affected.

The mortuary at Connaught Hospital was overwhelmed by the

number of dead, and bodies had to be spread out on the floor,

coroner's technician Sinneh Kamara told The Associated

Press.

The toll did not include the untold numbers buried alive in

their homes as they slept. More bodies also were expected to

be found as floodwaters recede.