Cyclone Chido, has struck the French Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte, with officials estimating that several hundred, and possibly even thousands, of people have been killed.
Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, stated on Sunday, “I think there will certainly be several hundreds, maybe even thousands” of casualties, as the cyclone brought winds exceeding 200 kph (124 mph).
The French interior ministry emphasized that determining an exact death toll is difficult at this stage, with the full extent of the destruction still being assessed.
Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to hit the region in more than 90 years, made landfall overnight, causing widespread devastation across Mayotte.
Housing, government buildings, and even a hospital were severely damaged, leaving communities in ruin. Local resident Mohamed Ishmael described the scene as a “tragedy,” likening it to the aftermath of a nuclear war.
Aerial footage from the French gendarmerie showed the destruction of makeshift homes, particularly in areas heavily impacted by illegal immigration from the nearby Comoros islands.
Local media captured images of chaos, including a mother pushing her newborn baby’s crib down a flooded hospital corridor, capsized police boats washed ashore, and trees that had crashed through the roofs of buildings.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences, saying, “My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte, who have gone through the most horrific few hours, and who have, for some, lost everything, lost their lives.”
Mayotte, a French overseas territory located nearly 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) from Paris, has long faced significant challenges, including poverty, gang violence, and social unrest.
More than 100,000 undocumented migrants from the nearby Comoros islands live in Mayotte, seeking better living conditions and access to French welfare services.
The cyclone has also raised concerns about food, water, and sanitation shortages on the islands.
The rapid burial of the dead, a cultural practice in the Muslim-majority region, further complicates efforts to accurately determine the death toll.
Authorities are working to establish an air bridge from Reunion Island, another French overseas territory, to assist with relief efforts.
This crisis marks the first major test for French Prime Minister François Bayrou, who was appointed by President Macron following the collapse of the previous government.
Cyclone Chido then moved on to northern Mozambique, where it caused damage to power and telecommunications infrastructure, although the full impact there remains unclear.
In Comoros, the cyclone caused damage, leaving two people slightly injured, displacing 24 others, and destroying 21 homes.
Mayotte, which was colonized by France in 1843, remains under French control despite the other islands in the Comoros archipelago declaring independence in 1975. A referendum in 1974 saw Mayotte vote to remain part of France, and it continues to be governed from Paris.
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