Freetown, Sierra Leone (CNN) Rescuers have recovered over 300 bodies after Monday's deadly mudslide on the outskirts of Sierra Leone's capital, the country's tourism minister said Wednesday.

Sidie Tunis told local radio that 297 bodies have been brought to the overwhelmed city morgue at the Connaught Hospital, including those of 105 men, 83 women and 109 children. A further seven bodies were found at the site on Wednesday morning, raising the death toll to 304 people, Col. Abubakarr Bah, who is leading recovery operations, told CNN.

Residents told CNN that an unknown number of bodies were found on a beach later Wednesday, but that hasn't been confirmed by officials.

A mass burial will be held on Thursday. It was postponed to allow families to identify their loved ones.

Around 600 people are still unaccounted for after heavy rains struck the Regent district in the early hours of Monday morning, causing torrents of mud to wash down Mount Sugar Loaf, about 5 miles outside the capital, Freetown, according to government officials and aid agencies.

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