Devastation in Mayotte: Cyclone death toll feared to reach thousands

Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte on Saturday night, killing hundreds and possibly thousands, according to local French officials. Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville warned that the final death toll could reach several thousand. French authorities said determining an accurate count is difficult due to the widespread destruction.

With winds exceeding 200 kph (124 mph), the storm became the most powerful cyclone to hit Mayotte in nearly a century. It destroyed homes, government buildings, and a hospital, leaving residents in shock. Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of Mamoudzou, compared the aftermath to a nuclear war, describing entire neighborhoods wiped out.

Aerial footage revealed hundreds of makeshift homes reduced to debris across the island’s hills. Images showed flood-damaged hospitals, capsized police boats, and fallen coconut trees piercing rooftops. A mother was seen pushing a newborn through flooded hospital corridors, symbolizing the disaster’s human toll.

President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity, mourning the loss of lives and livelihoods. The cyclone exacerbated Mayotte’s challenges, including poverty, illegal immigration, and a lack of infrastructure. Over 100,000 undocumented migrants live on the island, straining resources. Officials voiced concerns about access to food, water, and sanitation.

Relief efforts began with an air bridge from Réunion Island to deliver aid. However, local customs of burying the dead within 24 hours complicated casualty counts. Mayotte, located 8,000 km from Paris, has long been poorer than mainland France, with over 75% living below the French poverty line. Earlier this year, water shortages fueled tensions, highlighting the island’s vulnerabilities.

Cyclone Chido moved on to northern Mozambique, damaging power and communication lines. Comoros, Mayotte’s neighbor, reported minor injuries and property losses. France colonized Mayotte in 1843, and while other parts of the Comoros archipelago declared independence in 1975, Mayotte chose to remain French.

This disaster presents a significant test for newly appointed French Prime Minister François Bayrou. As relief efforts ramp up, Mayotte faces the daunting task of rebuilding while grappling with its longstanding social and economic challenges.