A powerful cyclone struck the French Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayottepotentially causing a massive loss of life. A senior local French official stated on Sunday that the death toll could be in the hundreds or even thousands. This cyclone is considered the strongest to hit the region in nearly a century.
Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville told broadcaster Mayotte la Premiere, “I think there will definitely be several hundred, perhaps we will come close to a thousand or even several thousand” deaths. He added that confirming the final death toll will be challenging because of Muslim burial customs.
Determining accurate figures might also be further complicated by the estimated 100,000 undocumented residents, according to France’s interior ministry. Former nurse Ousseni Balahachi reported that some individuals avoided seeking help, fearing deportation. Many remained in place until escape became impossible.
The rescue operations are underway but face challenges due to damaged airports and power infrastructure in this French Indian Ocean territory. France is sending additional soldiers, firefighters, and medical personnel to Mayotte. Supplies, including medical equipment and blood for transfusions, are arriving by plane and ship from Reunion Island.
The cyclone severely damaged hospitals and schools, according to Mamoudzou Mayor Ambdilwahedou Soumaila. He told AFP that nine people were in critical condition, and 246 others were seriously injured. He described the situation as devastating.
The storm also destroyed shantytowns housing a significant portion of the island’s population, including many undocumented residents. Some were afraid to seek help, fearing deportation, according to former nurse Ousseni Balahachi.
“Honestly, what we are experiencing is a tragedy, you feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war… I saw an entire neighborhood disappear,” Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of Mayotte’s capital Mamoudzou, told Reuters.
Cyclone Desire also hit the Comoros Islands, causing minor damage. It then made landfall in Mozambique, where three deaths have been reported. The remnants of the storm are expected to bring heavy rain to Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, possibly leading to floods.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered support on Sunday. “Our hearts go out to France following the devastating passage of cyclone Chido through Mayotte,” she posted on X. “We are ready to provide support in the days to come.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed readiness to assist, stating on X that his organisation “stands ready to support communities in need of essential health care”. PIROI, the regional Red Cross organisation, also indicated its preparedness to help.
The cyclone destroyed informal settlements, as reported by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
Authorities ordered Mayotte’s 320,000 residents into lockdown as the cyclone approached with winds reaching 226 kilometres per hour. The storm caused extensive infrastructure damage, particularly affecting shantytown dwellings.
Emergency response efforts are underway, with medical supplies and personnel arriving by air and sea. The storm has also affected Mozambique, causing three deaths, while UNICEF provides assistance there.
The UN warns that 1.7 million people face risk, with potential flooding in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
Experts link this cyclone to climate change, with meteorologist Francois Gourand noting its intensity was enhanced by unusually warm Indian Ocean temperatures.
