Official declarations from the French government

Cyclone Chido Hits French Territory Mayotte, Prefect Fears Death Toll May Reach Thousands

Dec 15, 2024, 05:23 PM

Cyclone Chido has devastated the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, with local authorities fearing that the death toll could be "certainly several hundred, perhaps approaching a thousand, or even a few thousand." François-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, stated that it will be "very difficult" to determine a final death toll due to the extent of the destruction. The cyclone, bringing winds of up to 136 mph, is believed to be the strongest to hit Mayotte in 90 years, flattening slums made of corrugated iron and causing widespread damage throughout the archipelago.