OSAKA, Aug. 25 -- The death toll from massive mudslides caused by torrential rains six days ago in the western Japanese city of Hiroshima rose to 54 on Monday, while 28 others remain missing, local press reported.

About 3,400 rescuers, including police officers, firefighters and Self-Defense Forces personnel, continued searching the missing people. But fears that more mudslides could occur as rain continue to fall forced search and rescue operations to suspend from time to time.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Hiroshima Monday. After being briefed on the situation, he inspected the disaster area by boarding a Self-Defense Forces plane.

As of Monday, about 1,600 people remained in shelters in Asaminami and Asakita wards,the two worst-hit areas of the city.

Hiroshima was hit by torrential rain in the early hours of last Wednesday with more than 100 millimeters of rain per hour recorded, triggering more than 50 mudslides which buried and washed away houses and apartments in Asaminami and Asakita wards, trapping many who had remained in their homes.