Worst Cyclone Hits Mayotte

France’s Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte has been struck by the worst cyclone to hit the islands in nearly a century.

At least 11 people were reportedly killed when Cyclone Chido made landfall on Saturday, causing wind gusts of more than 225km/h (140mph), with fears the death toll could rise.

French President Emmanuel Macron said France would “be there” for the people of Mayotte, while French officials said 250 firefighters and security personnel would be sent to the islands, with some having already arrived.

France’s interior minister Bruno Retailleau said, “All makeshift homes have been completely destroyed,” and he feared a “heavy” death toll.

One local news source reported that 11 people were killed and 246 injured, based on a hospital report.

AFP reported a higher death toll – at least 14 – citing a security source.

Located north-west of Madagascar, Mayotte is an archipelago comprised of one main island, Grand-Terre, and several smaller ones.

Most of the island’s 300,000 or so inhabitants live in shacks with sheet metal roofs, and tens of thousands of people have lost their homes.

Electricity, water, and internet connections are all down. The government in Paris has sent a military transport plane with supplies and emergency workers.

The territory’s Pamandzi airport “suffered major damage, especially to the control tower,” acting French Transport Minister Francois Durovray wrote on X.

Air traffic “will be restored initially with military aid planes. Ships are on the way to ensure resupply,” he added.

Even before the cyclone hit with full force on Saturday morning, there were reports of trees being uprooted, roofs being ripped off buildings and power lines being downed.

The head of Mayotte’s firefighters’ union, Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, told the BFM news channel on Saturday morning that “even emergency responders are locked down.”

He continued: “There’s no mobile phone service, and we can’t reach people on the island. Even buildings built to earthquake standards haven’t held up.

“The emergency services command centre has been evacuated and is functioning at partial capacity.”

BBC/Shakirat Sadiq