• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Africa

Nearly 500 dead pulled from Sierra Leone mudslide

21 August 2017, 7:36 AM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
The Red Cross said on Friday that over 600 people are still missing. Picture:REUTERS

The Red Cross said on Friday that over 600 people are still missing. Picture:REUTERS

The Red Cross said on Friday that over 600 people are still missing. Picture:REUTERS

Rescue workers have unearthed 499 dead bodies since last week’s devastating landslide near the Sierra Leone capital Freetown, the city’s chief coroner told Reuters on Sunday.

One of Africa’s worst flooding-related disasters in years occurred when the side of Mount Sugar Loaf collapsed on Monday after heavy rain, burying parts of Regent town and overwhelming relief efforts in one of the world’s poorest countries.

Authorities this week buried 461 bodies in quickly-dug graves in the nearby Waterloo cemetery, near the site of a mass burial for victims of the Ebola crisis that killed 4 000 people in the former British colony between 2014 and 2016.

Thirty-eight more bodies were found on Sunday, said chief coroner Seneh Dumbuya, bringing the official death toll to 499.They were being sent for immediate burial, he said.

The Red Cross said on Friday that over 600 are still missing.

An increasingly desperate search continued on Sunday on the steep hillside under the wet red mud, as the likelihood of finding survivors was all but extinguished.

Authorities said they were concentrating on digging up bodies to stop fluids from contaminated corpses getting into the water supply and spreading disease.

“We are doing all we can to ensure cholera does not breakout,” said Samuel Turay, an official at the health ministry.

The threat of deadly landslides is growing in west and central Africa as rainfall, deforestation and urban populations rise, experts say.
On Thursday, a landslide in remote eastern Congo crushed themed houses of a lake-side fishing village, potentially killing over 200 people, a local official told Reuters.

– By REUTERS

Share article
Tags: Sierra LeoneRed CrossSeneh Dumbuya
Previous Post

SA commits to implementation of SADC strategy

Next Post

Nigeria’s Buhari says separatists cross red line

Related Posts

UN Oryx helicopter came under fire and a crew member was killed

UN peacekeeping mission condemns fatal shooting of SA soldier in Goma

6 February 2023, 9:04 PM
A smartphone with Facebook's logo is seen in front of displayed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta in this illustration taken October 28, 2021.

Meta can be sued in Kenya by ex-content moderator, the country’s court rules

6 February 2023, 1:19 PM
A U.N. vehicle patrols the streets before the polls open for the presidential election in Bamako, Mali July, 29 2018.

Mali expels UN mission’s human rights chief

6 February 2023, 7:44 AM
[File image]

One peacekeeper killed in Congo after UN chopper comes under fire

5 February 2023, 8:26 PM
Pope Francis shakes hands with South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit, during a farewell ceremony before his departure in Juba, South Sudan, February 5, 2023.    Vatican Media

Pope Francis says laws criminalising LGBT people are a ‘sin’ and an injustice

5 February 2023, 8:13 PM
Pope Francis greets people during the Holy Mass at John Garang Mausoleum, during his apostolic journey, in Juba, South Sudan, February 5, 2023.

Pope Francis wraps up South Sudan trip, urges end to ‘blind fury’ of violence

5 February 2023, 11:55 AM
Next Post
Muhammadu Buhari took office in May 2015 and handed over power to his deputy, Christian southerner Yemi Osinbajo, when he travelled to Britain on May 7 for treatment of an unspecified ailment. Picture:REUTERS

Nigeria’s Buhari says separatists cross red line

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • Budding Stellenbosch FC star reportedly stabbed to death
  • Shock over proposed SA sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • Kellerman, Bantwini, Zikode win Grammy award
  • We are not moved by threats made by Malema: Mbalula
  • Former Orlando Pirates midfielder John Moeti passes away
  • EFF expresses concern over ‘secrecy’ around Mabuza’s resignation
  • VIDEO | Swearing in of four new ANC MPs

LATEST

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe.
  • Business

Minister Mantashe says declining energy availability factor must be stopped


UN Oryx helicopter came under fire and a crew member was killed
  • Africa

UN peacekeeping mission condemns fatal shooting of SA soldier in Goma


A rescue team works on a collapsed building, following an earthquake in Iskenderun, Turkey February 6, 2023. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
  • World

President Ramaphosa sends condolences to the people of Turkey and Syria


Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo
  • South Africa

Malesela Teffo remains struck off as an advocate: LPC


Close to 1 800 people have been confirmed to have died in the quakes that have injured thousands of others in the two countries.
  • Politics

Malema offers condolences to Turkey and Syria following earthquakes


  • Uncategorized

SONA 2023


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous SA commits to implementation of SADC strategy
Next Nigeria’s Buhari says separatists cross red line