Cyclone Freddy in Malawi: Searching for my daughter-in-law in the mud

By Rhoda Odhiambo & Nobuhle Simelane

BBC News, Blantyre

Violet Frank's two grandchildren serve as reminders of her missing daughter-in-law.

It is feared her name will be added to those of more than 300 who died when Cyclone Freddy struck Malawi at the beginning of the week.

The youngsters had gone to stay with Violet just days before and escaped the fate of their mother, who fell victim to the unforgiving power of a landslide.

"She was with my son in their matrimonial home in Chilobwe. He stepped outside their home when he heard neighbours screaming and things falling with a loud bang outside their house," Violet said.

"Luckily, he survived. He was taken to hospital by well-wishers. But we do not know where his wife is."

When we met Violet, she was staring at what was left of her son's home. A huge boulder sat in the middle of the two-bedroom house, the memories there smashed to pieces.

A few metres away, rescue teams were retrieving a body from the rubble and mud. It was not Violet's daughter-in-law.