Deadly cyclone in Mayotte claims hundreds, possibly thousands, in worst storm in a century

According to a senior local French official, the French Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte experienced a devastating cyclone, possibly resulting in the loss of several hundred, or even thousands, of lives. This cyclone is considered the most powerful to hit the region in nearly a century.

Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville stated in an interview with local media channel Mayotte La 1ere that he believes there will likely be several hundreds, and possibly even thousands, of individuals affected by the situation.

When questioned about the number of casualties caused by Cyclone Chido, the French interior ministry stated that it would be challenging to accurately determine the total number of victims at this point.

Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mayotte during the night, as reported by Meteo-France. The storm brought destructive winds exceeding 124 mph, causing significant damage to residential areas, governmental structures, and even a hospital. According to the forecaster, this was the most powerful storm to hit the islands in over 90 years.

“It’s truly devastating. The situation feels like the aftermath of a nuclear war. I witnessed an entire neighborhood vanish,” expressed Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of Mamoudzou, the capital of Mayotte, during a phone interview with Reuters.

The French gendarmerie shared aerial footage revealing the aftermath of hundreds of makeshift houses scattered across the hills of one of Mayotte’s islands. These islands have become a hotspot for illegal immigration from the nearby Comoros.

Local media captured a heart-wrenching scene of a mother bravely navigating a flooded corridor, pushing her newborn baby’s crib along the way. The devastating aftermath of the natural disaster was evident, with capsized police boats scattered onshore and coconut trees breaking through the roofs of numerous buildings.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Mayotte, who have endured a devastating ordeal and, tragically, lost lives and possessions. He expressed his heartfelt sympathy for those who have been affected by this tragedy.

In recent decades, numerous individuals have embarked on the journey from Comoros, situated off the coast of East Africa, to Mayotte. This island offers a higher standard of living and grants access to the French welfare system.

According to the French interior ministry, Mayotte is home to over 100,000 undocumented migrants.

The authorities stated that it was challenging to determine the exact number of deaths caused by the cyclone. Additionally, the cyclone raised concerns about the availability of food, water, and sanitation.

According to an official from the French interior ministry, the issue of toll collection in Mayotte is expected to be complex due to the cultural and religious practices in the region. Mayotte, being a Muslim land, follows the tradition of burying the deceased within 24 hours, which adds to the complexity of implementing tolls in the area.

Mayotte, situated almost 5,000 miles away from Paris, is considerably less affluent compared to the rest of France. For years, the island has been plagued by issues such as gang violence and social unrest.

Over 75% of the population in Mayotte resides below the poverty line set by France. Earlier this year, tensions escalated due to a scarcity of water.

The government stated that an air bridge was being established from Reunion island, which is another French overseas territory located on the opposite side of Madagascar.

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is facing his first challenge as he takes office, just days after being appointed by President Macron in the wake of the previous government’s collapse.

On Sunday, the cyclone made its way to northern Mozambique, causing widespread damage and destruction. However, the true extent of the impact is still unknown. According to NetBlocks, a monitoring organization, the heavy rain and strong winds have severely damaged power and telecommunication infrastructure in the area.

According to authorities, the recent incident in Comoros resulted in two individuals sustaining minor injuries, with 24 people being displaced and 21 homes being destroyed.

In 1843, France took control of Mayotte and later annexed the entire archipelago, which also included Comoros, in 1904.

In a referendum held in 1974, 95% of the population showed their support for separation, however, on the island of Mayotte, 63% of the voters chose to remain under French rule. As a result, Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli declared their independence in 1975, while Mayotte continues to be governed by Paris.

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