A powerful cyclone has claimed the lives of at least 11 people in France’s overseas territories.
According to meteorologists, this was the strongest storm to hit the French archipelago in the Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar, in the past 90 years. Cyclone “Chido” swept across the island of Mayotte overnight, bringing winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour.
The storm caused significant damage, destroying temporary housing, government buildings, and a hospital. Authorities warn that the exact death toll remains difficult to determine. Additionally, the cyclone has raised concerns about local access to food, water, and sanitation.
A representative from France’s Ministry of the Interior noted that counting the victims is challenging, as Mayotte’s predominantly Muslim population traditionally buries the deceased within 24 hours of death.
