Freddy, known as the killer cyclone, got stronger rapidly seven times, according to Roxy Mathew Koll, specialist at the India´s Tropical Meteorological Institute.

Formed in early February off the coast of Australia, the cyclone, which is on its way to being classified as the longest ever recorded, made an unprecedented crossing of more than 8,000 km from east to west in the Indian Ocean.

On Thursday, in the township of Manje near Blantyre, neighbors and rescue workers continued to search the earth in the hope of finding survivors. But rescues are increasingly resulting in a macabre collection of decomposing bodies.

Hundreds of dead are buried there, in the mud, assured the AFP of the inhabitants. The putrid smell and the air bubbles rising to the surface of the waterlogged ground leave little doubt.

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera revealed storm Freddy´s impacts also force over 183,000 people to be displaced and 300 emergency shelters to be opened.

Malawi authorities admitted they lacked necessary resources to attend to the victims and urged the international community to provide essential humanitarian support to help those injured.

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