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Close to a thousand people may have been killed as Cyclone Chido hit the French island of Mayotte on Saturday, according to the island’s top official.
It was the strongest storm in more than 90 years to hit the islands, said the forecaster Meteo-France.
The nearby islands of Comoros and Madagascar were also affected.
Mayotte, located about 500 miles off Africa’s east coast, has a population of just over 300,000 people spread over two main islands
Mayotte became an official French colony in June 1843 and is France’s poorest region.
The islands have struggled with drought, underinvestment, and gang violence for decades and now face a crisis following Cyclone Chido.
Damage caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. Pic: AP
“Many homes, schools and health facilities have been partially or completely destroyed and we are working closely with [the] government to ensure continuity of essential basic services,” said United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“While we are doing everything we can, additional support is urgently needed.”
France‘s interior ministry said 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers have been deployed, alongside rescuers and firefighters from Mayotte and the nearby territory of Reunion. Supplies were also being rushed in on military aircraft and ships.
Mayotte Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville told local TV station la 1ere: “I think there are some several hundred dead, maybe we’ll get close to a thousand, even thousands… given the violence of this event.”
He said it was currently “extremely difficult” to get an exact number.
Officials had confirmed at least 11 deaths in Mayotte earlier on Sunday but said that was expected to increase.
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