Tragedy ;Hundreds Dead as Mayotte Faces Worst Storm in a Century
Mayotte, a French Indian Ocean archipelago, has been ravaged by Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm in nearly a century, leaving hundreds dead and potentially thousands more, according to local authorities.
“I think there will certainly be several hundreds, maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands,” said Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville on Mayotte La 1ère. The French interior ministry confirmed that determining an exact death toll remains challenging.
Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte overnight with winds exceeding 200 kph (124 mph), according to Météo-France, destroying homes, government buildings, and a hospital. “Honestly, what we are experiencing is a tragedy. You feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war,” said Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of the capital Mamoudzou.
Scenes of Destruction
Images reveal widespread devastation, including flooded hospital corridors, capsized police boats, and coconut trees piercing rooftops. Hundreds of makeshift homes, many belonging to undocumented migrants from Comoros, were reduced to rubble.
“My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte, who have gone through the most horrific few hours and, for some, lost everything,” French President Emmanuel Macron stated.
A Region in Crisis
With over 100,000 undocumented migrants, Mayotte has long faced socioeconomic challenges, exacerbated now by Cyclone Chido. The cyclone has raised urgent concerns over food, water, and sanitation access. Relief efforts include an air bridge from Reunion Island, another French territory, the government announced.
The cyclone later struck northern Mozambique, disrupting power and telecommunications, and lightly impacted Comoros, where two people were injured and 21 homes destroyed.
Historical Context
Mayotte, colonized by France in 1843, remains under French administration despite Comoros’ independence in 1975. The island, situated 8,000 km from Paris, grapples with poverty and gang violence, with over three-quarters of its population living below the French poverty line.
Cyclone Chido marks a grim test for newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou, as the nation rallies to support Mayotte amid its worst storm in 90 years.
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Tragedy ;Hundreds Dead as Mayotte Faces Worst Storm in a Century
