In Sierra Leone, more than 300 people were killed in the capital Freetown following mudslides and torrential flooding. Red Cross spokesman Patrick Massaquoi said 312 people were confirmed dead and warned the toll could rise further.
According to Red Cross, homes in Freetown were engulfed after part of Sugar Loaf mountain collapsed following heavy rain early on yesterday morning.
Many of the victims were still asleep in their beds when disaster struck. Vice-President Victor Foh has warned the final death toll may be far higher. He said it is likely that hundreds are lying dead underneath the rubble.
Program coordinator for the International Federation of Red Cross,Abdul Nasir,said, in places, entire communities seem to have been washed away and whatever is left is covered in mud.
He said Red Cross volunteers have been digging to search for survivors. Police and military personnel are also at the scene in the mountain town of Regent searching for people trapped in the debris.