Hospital officials in Sierra Leone say that nearly 500 dead bodies have so far been recovered from the flooding and mudslide disaster in the capital, Freetown.
The toll earlier stood at 450 people dead.
More than 600 people remain missing and rescue officials have warned that the chances of finding survivors alive are decreasing each day.
Churches across Sierra Leone are holding special services on Sunday in memory of the dead.
Earlier President Ernest Bai Koroma visited the city’s Regent Village, one of the hardest hit parts of the city. It was apparent that many of the flimsily constructed buildings in the area had been washed away, with residents trapped inside.
The city of about 1 million lies on a peninsula near the mouth of a river and is considered one of the wettest places in the world.
It also has only a rudimentary sewage system for large stretches. In addition, many streets are not paved, making it easier for them to turn to mud.
The country’s rainy season typically lasts from May to November.
