A mudslide in eastern Uganda has killed at least 80 people and left hundreds of others missing. Many of them are thought to have been buried alive.

The mudslide followed lengthy rainfall in the vicinity of Mount Elgon. This is situated on the border of Uganda and Kenya in the Bududa district, some 300 kilometres east of the Ugandan capital Kampala. Mud slipped from the sides of the mountain, engulfed three villages and, says the Ugandan government, left 10,000 people homeless.

Ugandan authorities say the Red Cross has sent doctors to the scene and that police officers and volunteers are helping with the rescue work.