Taipei  - Taiwan officials on Friday said the death toll from a mudslide caused by Typhoon Morakot would pass 500, but the real figure might never be known.

At a national security meeting Friday, President Ma Ying-jeou said the death toll has already passed 120, but there are 380 people in Hsiaolin Village buried alive, with 7,000 left homeless.

"Agricultural losses total 50 billion Taiwan dollars (1.5 billion US dollars). This is the worst typhoon and flood in 50 years and we must mobilize the whole nation to face it," he said.

One week after Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan, bringing heavy downpours and triggering mudslides and rockslides in the southern Taiwan mountains, the official casualty toll stood at 117 dead, 59 missing and 45 injured.

But the death toll could be about 500 because many villagers remain trapped in the mountains. In the worst-hit spot, Hsiaolin Village in Kaohsiung County, southern Taiwan, some 300 villagers were believed buried under mud as deep as 15 metres.

Nestled in a mountain valley, Hsiaolin Village, with some 200 homes and some 900 people - vanished during the typhoon's onslaught. Now only two houses - the highest buildings in the village - are still standing.

Out of the 900-or-so villagers, about 243 were rescued and the rest remain missing.

Some Hsiaolin villagers suggest the army abandon the plan to dig for the dead, so the dead can rest in peace. The villagers plan to hold a memorial meeting for the dead on Saturday.

The government has suggested that farmers in the mountain villages destroyed by Typhoon Morakot resettle elsewhere.

Taiwan on Thursday appealed for international aid, asking for helicopters that can carry excavators, medicine, disinfectant, water purifying systems and prefabricated houses.

But countries including the United States and Japan said they cannot send helicopters due to the long distance to Taiwan, according to Defence Minister Chen Chao-min.

On Friday, Taiwan continued to use helicopters to evacuate survivors from mountain villages and to raise funds for disaster areas.

On Friday evening, Taiwan TV stations were scheduled to hold a concert to raise funds for typhoon victims. Some 400 singers and movie stars, including US-based Chinese kung-fu actor Jet Lee and Hong Kong singers Andy Lau and Leon Lai, will speak and sing at the concert. (dpa)