"Deaths and devastation" in Sierra Leone mudslide saddens UN chief

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "saddened" on Monday by the

mudslide and flooding in and near Freetown, Sierra Leone, where

officials say at least 300 people have died and at least 2,000 people

left homeless.

"The Secretary-General is saddened by the deaths and devastation

caused by the mudslide and flooding in the town of Regent, Sierra Leone,

and throughout Freetown," the capital, said Farhan Haq, Guterres'

deputy spokesman. "The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the

people and Government of Sierra Leone for the loss of life and

destruction caused by this natural disaster."

The spokesman added, "The Secretary-General reiterates to the

government and people of Sierra Leone the full solidarity of the United

Nations with the ongoing rescue efforts."

The side of a hill gave way in heavy rains in the early hours of

Monday and trapped hundreds of people in the town of Regent, just

outside Freetown, according to published reports.