Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koromoa fought back tears as he said the devastation caused by mudslides and flooding in the capital, Freetown, “was overwhelming us”, AFP news agency reports.
Speaking to journalists at the Regent hilltop community of Freetown, one of the areas worst-affected by a mudslide, Mr Koroma said Sierra Leone needed “urgent support now” to cope with the disaster.
Israel and the UK said they were sending aid as quickly as possible to the country, AFP reports.