461 dead, 600 missing in Sierra Leone mud

Four-hundred and sixty-one people have been confirmed killed in mudslides and flooding in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, with 600 still missing.

Monday’s heavy rains caused the partial collapse of a hillside, with mud engulfing homes and wreaking destruction in the city.

A spokesman for the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies yesterday said: “Today we are counting more than 400 people dead.” Britain has promised £5million in fresh aid.