Emergency workers are working tirelessly in Mayotte, a French archipelago in the Indian Ocean, to help communities grappling with the fallout from Tropical Cyclone Chido. This powerful storm, regarded as the worst to hit the region in 90 years, has led to at least 14 confirmed deaths and over 250 injuries, according to initial reports.
Local representatives, including François-Xavier Bieuville, the highest rank official in Mayotte, fear the real death toll may be significantly higher, potentially reaching several hundred or even thousands as the full extent of the damage unfolds. This catastrophic event has transformed the landscape into what French media outlets describe as an "unrecognizable island."
Moreover, France's Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, indicated that determining the precise number of casualties may take several days. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, President Emmanuel Macron has called an emergency meeting to address the aftermath and necessary response strategies.
Tropical Cyclone Chido has not only devastated Mayotte; it has also impacted Mozambique, where at least three fatalities were reported. With wind gusts surging over 124 miles per hour, the cyclone has led to significant destruction, prompting urgent calls for aid and support to handle the emerging humanitarian crisis in Mayotte.
