Hundreds feared dead as Cyclone Chido hits Indian Ocean French island of Mayotte
Hundreds, maybe thousands, may have died, says local official after the worst storm in a century
Rescuers were racing against time on Monday to reach survivors after a powerful cyclone hit the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, laying to waste the territory’s many shantytowns.
Cyclone Chido caused major damage to Mayotte’s airport and cut off electricity, water and communication links when it barrelled down on France’s poorest territory on Saturday.
Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville expects the final death toll will reach “close to a thousand or even several thousand”, he told broadcaster Mayotte la Premiere.
Asked about the death toll from Cyclone Chido on Sunday, the French interior ministry said “it will be difficult to account for all victims” and a figure could not be determined at this stage.
French television station TF1 reported on Monday morning that Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau had arrived in Mamoudzou, the capital of Mayotte.
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Hundreds feared dead as Cyclone Chido hits Indian Ocean French island of Mayotte
Chido was packing winds of at least 200km/h (124mph) when it slammed into Mayotte, damaging housing, government buildings and a hospital. It was the strongest storm in more than 90 years to hit the islands, the forecaster said.
