A devastating cyclone struck Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean north of Madagascar, killing at least 11 people, according to French weather authorities and local officials on Sunday.
Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit the archipelago in nearly a century, tore through the region overnight, bringing winds exceeding 200 kph (124 mph) and wreaking havoc on makeshift homes, government structures, and a hospital, as reported by Meteo-France.
The cyclone, described as the strongest in more than 90 years, caused widespread destruction, leaving authorities struggling to determine the exact death toll.
Concerns were also raised about access to essential resources like food, water, and sanitation.
“For the toll, it’s going to be complicated, because Mayotte is a Muslim land where the dead are buried within 24 hours,” a French interior ministry official explained.
Mayotte, located nearly 8,000 km (4,970 miles) from Paris and requiring a four-day journey by sea, faces longstanding challenges, including poverty, gang violence, and social unrest.
Earlier in 2024, the region also experienced heightened tensions due to a severe water shortage.
