Cyclone death toll in France’s Mayotte ‘several hundred’ – top official

At least 11 deaths had been confirmed in Mayotte earlier on Sunday.

By contributor By Abby Sewell, Associated Press

Published 2 hours ago

Last updated 2 hours ago

Rescue workers clearing an area in the cyclone-hit French territory of Mayotte — Rescue workers clear an area in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, after Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage and fatalities (UIISC7/Securite civile via AP)

The death toll in the French territory of Mayotte from Cyclone Chido is “several hundred” and may be close to 1,000, the island’s top government official has said.

Mayotte Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville told TV station Mayotte la 1ere that “I think there are some several hundred dead, maybe we’ll get close to a thousand”.

He said it was currently “extremely difficult” to get an exact number after the Indian Ocean islands were pummelled by the intense tropical cyclone on Saturday, causing widespread destruction.

Extensive damage on Mayotte after a cyclone hit — An area of the French territory of Mayotte after Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage (Medecins du Monde via AP)

Officials had confirmed at least 11 deaths in Mayotte earlier on Sunday but said that was expected to increase.

Mayotte in the southeastern Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa is France’s poorest island and the poorest territory in the European Union.

Chido blew through the Indian Ocean on Friday and Saturday, also battering the nearby islands of Comoros and Madagascar.

Mayotte was directly in the cyclone’s path and suffered extensive damage on Saturday, officials said. Officials said it was the worst cyclone to hit Mayotte in 90 years.

Chido brought winds in excess of 220kph (136mph), according to the French weather service, making it a category 4 cyclone, the second strongest on the scale.