'Hundreds' dead in Sierra Leone flooding and mudslides

Social media pictures show bodies lying in the street and homes under water after heavy rain caused chaos.

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At least 312 people have died after a series of floods and mudslides hit the outskirts of Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown.
A Red Cross spokesperson said the number was likely to rise further as more bodies are recovered.
Storms swept through the capital of the West African country on Monday, leaving streets under water and causing landslips in rural areas.
TV pictures showed people using their hands to dig through mud to find their loved ones.




The Freetown Society @FreetownSociety
We are saddened to hear about awful flooding in areas of Freetown. The strong spirit of the people of SL & Hull will help you get through.
6:16 AM - Aug 14, 2017
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One of the worst mudslides occurred in the mountain town of Regent.
Social media images showed bodies lying in the street being collected by emergency personnel as the rain continued to fall.
The military has been deployed to the areas worst hit by the disaster.




S4CCC-SL @scccsierraleone
Dramatic footage of deadly #Freetown #floods #Sierraleone#climatechangeisreal = more intense rains, flash flooding
4:51 AM - Aug 14, 2017
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The number of corpses brought in was overwhelming Freetown's Connaught Hospital mortuary, a staff member told the national broadcaster.
The country's vice president, Victor Moh, said the dead could run into hundreds, partly blaming the high number of deaths on illegal construction.
He said: "It is likely that hundreds are lying dead underneath the rubble.




S4CCC-SL @scccsierraleone
  alert Heavy rains cause landslide at Regent, back of GUMA reservoir - Eyewitness report section of hill has collapsed
2:44 AM - Aug 14, 2017
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"The disaster is so serious that I myself feel broken. We're trying to cordon (off) the area (and) evacuate the people."
Deputy information minister Cornelius Deveaux said the government was still trying to compile accurate casualty figures.
The original estimate was that 21 people had died.
Many of Sierra Leone's poorest areas are close to sea level, making them vulnerable to flooding in the rainy season.



View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on Twitter


S4CCC-SL @scccsierraleone
#Freetown mudslide death toll set to rise as 200 bodies arrive at mortuary. Worst natural disaster 2 strike #SierraLeone 100s now homeless
6:03 AM - Aug 14, 2017
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In January, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced a training programme for British forces in Sierra Leone to help "ensure stability in the region which helps to deliver security at home in the UK".
At the time, nearly 90 soldiers from 1st The Queen's Dragoons were deployed alongside local troops for a jungle exercise.
Up to 700 UK soldiers were also deployed to Sierra Leone in 2014 to help fight the Ebola virus..
By;Worldcoinsmoney.blogspot.com

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