The French Indian Ocean region of Mayotte has been hit by the worst cyclone to hit the islands in almost a century.
At least 11 people were reported killed when Cyclone Chido made landfall on Saturday, packing 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, and French officials said 250 firefighters and security personnel would be sent to the islands, with some arriving around early
French interior minister Bruno Retailleau said “every mobile home has been completely destroyed” and feared a “heavy” death toll.
(AFP)
One local news source reported that 11 people were killed and 246 wounded, based on a hospital report.
AFP reported a higher death toll – at least 14 – citing a security source.
Located northwest of Madagascar, Mayotte is an island made up of one main island, Grand-Terre, and several smaller ones.
Most of the island's 300,000 or so residents 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 personnel.
The region's Pamandzi airport “has sustained significant damage, especially to the control tower,” French Transport Minister Francois Durovray wrote on X.
Air traffic “will be restored first with military support planes. Ships are on the way to ensure resupply,” he said.
Even before the cyclone hit with full force on Saturday morning, there were reports of trees being uprooted, roofs torn off buildings and power lines being knocked down.
The head of the Mayotte firefighters' union, Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, told the BFM news channel on Saturday morning that “even emergency responders are trapped”.
He continued: “There is no mobile phone service and we cannot reach people on the island. Even buildings built to earthquake standards did not stand up.
“The emergency services command center has been evacuated and is operating at full capacity.”
Interior Minister Retailleau wrote in a statement on X: “I offer my full support to the people of Mayotte. State and local emergency services are fully mobilized. 110 civil security personnel and firefighters have already been deployed and are on the scene. it will be done tomorrow with 140 more workers.”
French Prime Minister François Bayrou, who took office on Friday, said the cyclone was “extremely bad” and that he was being updated on the situation “hourly”. He has held an emergency meeting in Paris with ministers.
Mayotte was initially placed under a purple alert – the highest level – and a “strict lockdown for the entire population, including emergency services” was put in place. It has since been downgraded to red to allow the emergency services to leave their premises.
Retailleau said that the weather had not been this bad on the island since 1934.
After hitting Mayotte, the storm intensified overnight as it crossed the Mozambique Channel.
The coastal city of Pemba has been battered by heavy rain and winds of up to 185km/h (115mph).
Videos on social media showed parts of Pemba city flooded, trees uprooted and some homes damaged.
The cyclone is now moving inland, with heavy rain reported in the nearby Nampula district.
Although the winds are expected to ease, heavy rain and flooding are expected in southern Malawi and later in Zimbabwe.
Additional commentary by Richard Kagoe
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