Several people were killed after a deadly cyclone struck France’s Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte on Saturday. Local officials warned that the death toll could surpass the hundred mark, with some predicting that it could reach several hundred or even a few thousand.
Cyclone Chido caused widespread destruction after it made landfall, bringing wind gusts of more than 225 km/h (140 mph), devastating entire communities across the region.
The latest reported death toll stands at 11, but the island’s Prefect, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, stated that it would “definitely be several hundred” once the damage is fully assessed. French President Emmanuel Macron assured the people of Mayotte that France would support them, announcing the deployment of 250 rescue workers to assist in recovery efforts. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed that “all makeshift homes have been completely destroyed,” fearing a “heavy” death toll. Mayotte’s 300,000 residents, many of whom live in vulnerable homes made of sheet metal, were particularly at risk, and thousands lost their homes after the cyclone struck.
The island’s infrastructure was severely damaged, with electricity, water, and internet connections down. The French government has dispatched a military transport plane with supplies and emergency workers. French Transport Minister Francois Durovray noted that the island’s Pamandzi airport had suffered significant damage, including to its control tower, but air traffic would resume with military aid planes. Meanwhile, rescue operations have been hampered by a lack of communication, as mobile phone service is down and many emergency service centers have been evacuated. Mayotte’s firefighters’ union head, Abdul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, described the challenges in reaching people and coordinating efforts in the wake of the devastation.
The French government initially placed Mayotte under a purple alert—the highest level—and imposed a strict lockdown. This was later reduced to a red alert, allowing emergency services to begin operations. Prime Minister François Bayrou, who assumed office on Friday, described the cyclone as of “exceptional severity” and vowed to continue receiving hourly updates on the situation. The cyclone’s impact is considered the most severe natural disaster to hit Mayotte since 1934.
