A source at the Madden's Funeral Home says 50 bodies have so far been taken in from Tivoli Gardens and nearby communities in wake of the battle between the security forces and gunmen loyal to Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, the reputed drug lord wanted by the United States.

Up to Tuesday official figures had the death toll at 26, and the political ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, later reported that there were 44 deaths.

Blair made the announcement after carrying out an independent evaluation of the situation, at the request of Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

In the meantime, the source at Madden's said that the funeral home was capable of dealing with the number of bodies, in wake of a report that a refrigerated truck was leased to help with the storage of the dead from the West Kingston conflict.