Cyclone Chido leaves 'several hundred' dead in Mayotte, official reports. AP Photo
Mayotte, a French Indian Ocean archipelago, is reeling from the impact of Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to hit the region in nearly a century. The devastating cyclone struck with winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph), leaving widespread destruction and a tragic loss of life in its wake. Local officials estimate that the death toll may climb to several hundreds or even thousands, although an exact count remains uncertain.
Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, stated, “I think there will certainly be several hundreds, maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands.” However, the French interior ministry has cautioned that determining the precise number of victims will be challenging.
The cyclone hit Mayotte overnight, severely damaging homes, government buildings, and even the island's hospital. Aerial footage captured by the French gendarmerie revealed the catastrophic scene, with entire neighborhoods wiped out and makeshift homes reduced to rubble. In the capital, Mamoudzou, eyewitnesses described the harrowing aftermath. Resident Mohamed Ishmael likened the devastation to a nuclear disaster, saying, "I saw an entire neighborhood disappear."
Images from the island painted a heartbreaking picture: a mother pushing her newborn’s crib through a flooded hospital corridor, capsized police boats strewn along the shore, and coconut trees collapsing onto homes. "Honestly, what we are experiencing is a tragedy," Ishmael said.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the people of Mayotte, mourning the lives lost and acknowledging the immense suffering. "My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte, who have gone through the most horrific few hours and who, for some, lost everything, including their lives," Macron said.
Mayotte, a French overseas territory located 8,000 kilometers from Paris, has long grappled with poverty, social unrest, and the challenges of illegal immigration from neighboring Comoros. Over 100,000 undocumented migrants reside on the islands, lured by better living standards and access to France’s welfare system. The cyclone has exacerbated existing issues, raising urgent concerns about food, water, and sanitation for the affected population.
Authorities face obstacles in tallying the death toll, as Muslim customs in Mayotte require burials within 24 hours. The lack of resources and significant destruction has further complicated rescue and relief efforts. More than three-quarters of Mayotte’s residents live below the French poverty line, and the island was already struggling with water shortages earlier this year.
The French government is working to establish an air bridge from Reunion Island to deliver aid and resources to the disaster-stricken region. Cyclone Chido is the first major crisis for Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who assumed office just days ago.
The storm also impacted Mozambique, where the full extent of the damage remains unclear, and Comoros, where minor injuries and property damage were reported.
Mayotte’s history of colonization and political tensions adds another layer to the crisis. While Comoros gained independence in 1975, Mayotte chose to remain under French rule. However, the island’s ties to France have not shielded it from poverty and recurring challenges.
