Thousands Feared Dead as Cyclone Chido Devastates French Territory with 200kmph Winds
France has launched an urgent aid effort after Cyclone Chido tore through Mayotte on Saturday, leaving destruction in its wake and potentially claiming thousands of lives. With wind speeds exceeding 200kmph, the cyclone caused extensive damage to homes, government buildings, and a key hospital.
The French interior ministry has warned that the full number of casualties is difficult to determine, though estimates suggest that the death toll could be in the thousands. François-Xavier Bieuville, the local prefect, confirmed that poorer neighbourhoods with informal housing suffered the worst impacts. Entire areas have been flattened, and electricity supplies are largely out.
Bruno Retailleau, France’s interior minister, has stated that the full extent of the devastation could take “days and days” to assess. Meanwhile, the French military has mobilised emergency workers, medical teams, and supplies from Reunion Island to aid survivors. An additional 800 personnel are expected to arrive in the coming days to support recovery efforts.
The cyclone has also severely damaged the main airport, including its control tower, limiting access to the island and further complicating emergency operations. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences, saying that his thoughts are with Mayotte’s residents, many of whom have “lost everything.”
Efforts are being supported by logistical aid such as military rations, tents, and generators. Meanwhile, Nicolas Daragon, France’s minister for security, confirmed on social media that emergency aid flights have already started arriving in response to the crisis.
The archipelago is particularly vulnerable, with challenges such as overcrowding, poverty, and inadequate infrastructure exacerbating recovery efforts. Many of Mayotte’s 320,000 residents live in extreme poverty, and access to clean water and food remains a key concern following the cyclone’s destruction.
The response faces additional challenges as Mayotte is geographically isolated, situated nearly 8,000km from Paris and far from the French mainland. Efforts are also hindered by cultural factors—Mayotte’s practice of burying bodies within 24 hours has complicated accurate assessments of casualties.
Efforts to stabilise the situation are prioritised, with the French state fully mobilising to address the immediate humanitarian crisis while also preparing for the longer-term challenges of recovery.
