French island territory affected by Cyclone Chido

The French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte has been hit by the worst cyclone to hit the islands in nearly a century.

At least 11 people were killed when Cyclone Chido made landfall on Saturday, packing wind gusts of more than 225 km/h (140 mph), with fears the death toll could rise.

French President Emmanuel Macron said France “would be there” for the people of Mayotte, while French officials said 250 firefighters and security personnel would be sent to the islands, some of which have already arrived.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said “all the makeshift houses have been completely destroyed” and feared a “large” death toll.

one a local news source reported that 11 people died and more than 200 were injured, according to a hospital report.

AFP reported a higher death toll of at least 14, citing a security source.

Located northwest of Madagascar, Mayotte is an archipelago made up of one main island, Grand-Terre, and several smaller ones.

Most of the island’s 300,000 inhabitants live in shacks with tin roofs and tens of thousands of people have lost their homes.

Electricity, water and internet connections are down. The government in Paris has sent a military transport plane with supplies and emergency workers.

The territory’s Pamandzi airport “suffered significant damage, especially to the control tower,” acting French transport minister Francois Durovray wrote to X.

Air traffic “will initially be restored with military aid planes. Ships are on their way to ensure resupply,” he added.

Even before the cyclone hit with its full force on Saturday morning, there were reports of uprooted trees, roofs torn off buildings and downed power lines.

The head of Mayotte’s fire union, Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, told the BFM news channel on Saturday morning that “even the emergency workers are blocked.”

He continued: “There is no mobile phone service and we cannot reach the people on the island. Even buildings built to earthquake standards have not held up.

“The emergency services command center has been evacuated and is operating at partial capacity.”

Interior Minister Retailleau wrote in a statement to X: “I offer all my support to the people of Mayotte. State and local emergency services are fully mobilized. 110 security personnel have already been sent civil and fire department and are on site. A second office will be held tomorrow with 140 additional personnel.”

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who took office on Friday, said the cyclone was of “exceptional severity” and the situation was being updated “hour by hour”. He has held an emergency meeting in Paris with ministers.

Mayotte was initially placed under a purple alert – the highest level – and a “strict lockdown for the entire population, including emergency services” was imposed. It has since been downgraded to red to allow emergency services to leave their bases.

Retaileau said the island had not experienced such severe weather since 1934.

Cyclone Chido is also expected to reach Mozambique on the African continent.