BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a message to Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma expressing condolences over a mudslide disaster which caused heavy casualties and property losses in the African country.

In the message, Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, extended deep condolences to the victims in the disaster and expressed sympathy with their families.

The side of a hill collapsed in heavy rains in the early hours of Monday, killing more than 300 people near or at the outskirts of Freetown,capital of Sierra Leone, and leaving more than 2,000 others homeless.