A powerful cyclone has struck the French Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte, killing hundreds and destroying homes and infrastructure. The storm, which made landfall on Saturday, brought winds of over 200km/h (124mph) that damaged housing, government buildings, and a hospital.
The exact death toll is unknown, but local officials estimate it could be in the thousands. The French Ministry of Interior has warned that it will be difficult to account for all victims due to the destruction caused by the cyclone.
Mayotte, which is significantly poorer than the rest of France, has struggled with gang violence and social unrest for decades. Over 100,000 undocumented migrants live on the island, and more than three-quarters of the population lives below the French poverty line.
The disaster has raised concerns about access to food, water, and sanitation, and an air bridge is being set up from Reunion Island to bring aid to those in need. The cyclone also affected neighboring countries, including Mozambique and Comoros, where two people were injured, 24 displaced, and 21 homes destroyed.
The impact of the storm has left Mayotte reeling, with residents describing it as a “tragedy” and likening it to the aftermath of a nuclear war. The cyclone is the strongest to hit the islands in over 90 years, according to weather forecasters.
France colonized Mayotte in 1843 and annexed the entire archipelago in 1904. While some islands declared independence in 1975, Mayotte remains under French rule.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/12/16/hundreds-feared-dead-on-mayotte-after-cyclone-chido