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Reuters
The French territory of Mayotte is reeling from the impact of Cyclone Chido, with local authorities estimating that the death toll could reach several hundred or even thousands. Mayotte Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville spoke to local media on Sunday, describing the cyclone as the worst to hit the island in 90 years.
"The human toll is much higher than what we are able to report at this stage," Bieuville said. While the French Interior Ministry confirmed at least 11 fatalities and more than 250 injuries, the final numbers are expected to rise significantly as the destruction is fully assessed.
The tropical storm, which struck on Saturday, wreaked havoc on public infrastructure, causing severe damage to the airport, homes, and essential services. Many neighborhoods have been completely flattened, and widespread power outages continue to affect the region.
Mayotte, located in the southwestern Indian Ocean near Africa, is France's poorest territory, with a population of just over 300,000. The worst damage has been reported in the slums, where informal housing made from metal shacks bore the brunt of the storm. Bieuville emphasized that the current official death toll doesn't reflect the severity of the destruction in these areas.
Cyclone Chido, which passed through Mayotte after hitting the nearby islands of Comoros and Madagascar, brought winds exceeding 220 km/h (136 mph), making it a Category 4 storm, the second most intense classification.
France has deployed rescue teams and emergency supplies to assist the affected population, but recovery will be a long and difficult process.
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