The French Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte has been devastated by Cyclone Chido, one of the most powerful storms to hit the region in nearly a century. A senior local official, Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, indicated that the death toll could reach several hundred, possibly even thousands.

“I think there will certainly be several hundreds, maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands,” he stated on local media channel Mayotte La 1ere.

Cyclone Chido struck overnight, bringing winds exceeding 200 kph (124 mph) and wreaking havoc across the islands. The storm caused significant damage to homes, government buildings, and a hospital.

Residents described the scene as tragic, with Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of the capital Mamoudzou, likening it to the aftermath of a nuclear disaster: “Honestly, what we are experiencing is a tragedy… I saw an entire neighborhood disappear.”

Aerial footage shared by the French gendarmerie showed the destruction of hundreds of makeshift homes scattered across the hills. Local media captured heart-wrenching images, including a mother pushing her newborn baby’s crib through a flooded hospital corridor, and scenes of capsized police boats and uprooted coconut trees damaging buildings.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his sorrow for those affected, stating, “My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte, who have gone through the most horrific few hours, and who have, for some, lost everything, lost their lives.”

Authorities are finding it challenging to ascertain the precise death toll due to cultural practices in the region, where Muslim communities typically bury their dead within 24 hours. A French interior ministry official noted, “For the toll, it’s going to be complicated.”

Mayotte, located nearly 8,000 km (5,000 miles) from Paris, is significantly poorer than mainland France. Over three-quarters of its population live below the French poverty line, and the islands have faced longstanding issues such as gang violence and social unrest.

To aid in recovery efforts, the French government is establishing an air bridge from Reunion Island, another French overseas territory. The cyclone also impacted northern Mozambique, with reports of damage to power and telecommunications infrastructure.

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In Comoros, two people were reported injured, with 24 displaced and 21 homes destroyed. The region’s history is complex; France colonized Mayotte in 1843 and annexed the entire archipelago in 1904. Despite a 1974 referendum in which 95% supported separation, Mayotte opted to remain French, while the other islands gained independence in 1975.