The French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte has been hit by the worst hurricane to hit the islands in nearly a century.
At least two people are reported to have died when Cyclone Chido made landfall on Saturday, producing gusts of over 225km/h (140mph), and many more are suspected.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France would “be there” for the people of Mayotte, and French officials said 250 firefighters and security forces would be sent to the islands, and others have already arrived.
French interior minister Bruno Retailleau said “all temporary homes have been completely destroyed” and feared a “heavy” death toll.
Located in the northwest of Madagascar, Mayotte is an archipelago made up of one main island, Grand-Terre, and several smaller ones.
Even before this typhoon hit with force on Saturday morning, there were reports of trees being uprooted, roofs of buildings blown off and power lines downed.
The head of the union of firefighters in Mayotte, Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, told the news channel BFM on Saturday morning that “even the paramedics are locked down”.
He continued: “There is no mobile phone service and we cannot reach people on the island.
“Even the buildings that were built in the way of the earthquake are still not standing.
“The emergency command center has been evacuated and is partially operational.”
The airport of Pamandzi on the island “suffered a lot of damage, especially in the control tower,” the acting Minister of Transport of France Francois Durovray wrote in X.
Air traffic “will be restored initially with military assistance flights. Ships are on the way to ensure resupply,” he added.
Interior Minister Retaileau wrote in a statement to X: “I offer my full support to the people of Mayotte. Federal and local emergencies are fully coordinated. 110 public security personnel and firefighters have been deployed and are in place. The second deployment will be made tomorrow with additional personnel of -140.”
French Prime Minister François Bayrou, who took office on Friday, said the storm was “very serious” and was being updated on the situation “hour by hour”.
Initially Mayotte was placed under a purple alert – the highest level – and a “strict closure for all people, including emergency services” was imposed. It has since been reduced to red to allow emergency services to leave their bases.
Retaileau said the island has not had such bad weather since 1934.
Cyclone Chido is expected to hit Mozambique on the African continent.
Source link
