CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The devastation caused by Cyclone Chido has left Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, facing a catastrophic situation with a death toll that could reach “several hundred” or even thousands, as warned by the island’s top government official during a local broadcast on Sunday.

In light of this tragedy, France has quickly mobilized rescue teams and vital supplies to aid its struggling overseas department, which has suffered extensive destruction.

François-Xavier Bieuville, the Prefect of Mayotte, conveyed a chilling message to TV station Mayotte la 1ere, suggesting that the current death count is likely to rise significantly, potentially nearing a thousand or more due to the cyclone’s intensity. He stated, “I believe there are several hundred fatalities, and it’s possible we may reach the thousands… given the severity of this disaster.”

Bieuville previously described this cyclone as the most devastating to hit Mayotte in nearly a century.

He emphasized the difficulty in accurately counting casualties and injuries following the violent storm that struck the island on Saturday, which inflicted serious damage on infrastructure, including the airport, and left entire neighborhoods in ruins while causing widespread power outages.

On Sunday, the French Interior Ministry reported at least 11 confirmed deaths and over 250 injuries, cautioning that these numbers would likely increase significantly.

Mayotte, situated in the southwestern Indian Ocean off the African coast, is known as France’s most impoverished island and the least wealthy territory within the European Union, home to approximately 300,000 residents across two main islands.

Bieuville pointed out that the most severe damage occurred in slum areas characterized by makeshift metal shacks and informal housing prevalent throughout Mayotte. He expressed doubt about the official death toll, stating, “That number seems implausible when you see the images from the slums.”

“I suspect the human toll is much greater,” he added.

Mayotte faced the full fury of Cyclone Chido

Cyclone Chido roared through the southwestern Indian Ocean on Friday and Saturday, also affecting nearby islands such as Comoros and Madagascar. However, Mayotte bore the brunt of the cyclone’s strength, with winds exceeding 220 kph (136 mph), categorizing it as a level 4 cyclone on the scale, just below the highest classification.

Afterward, Chido made landfall in Mozambique, raising alarms for over 2 million residents in the northern regions, according to local authorities.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the people of Mayotte, while Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is set to visit the island on Monday. Following an emergency meeting in Paris, Retailleau acknowledged the likelihood of a considerable death toll, and newly appointed Prime Minister François Bayrou, who took office on Friday, noted significant infrastructure damage across Mayotte.

During a visit to Corsica on Sunday, Pope Francis also offered his prayers for the victims.

France aims to establish an air and sea bridge to Mayotte

Rescue and firefighting teams have been sent from France and the nearby French territory of Reunion, with supplies being transported using military aircraft and ships. Damage to the airport’s control tower has limited flights to military operations exclusively.

Patrice Latron, the prefect of Reunion, announced plans to create an air and sea bridge connecting Reunion to Mayotte. An additional 800 rescue personnel are expected to arrive in the coming days, with over 80 tons of supplies already delivered or on the way by ship. Latron emphasized the urgent need to restore electricity and ensure access to clean drinking water.

The French Interior Ministry reported the deployment of 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers to support the local population and prevent potential looting.

In various areas of Mayotte, entire blocks of metal structures and huts have been flattened, with residents reporting uprooted trees, overturned boats, and extensive power outages.

Chad Youyou, a resident of Hamjago in northern Mayotte, shared videos on Facebook that showcased the widespread destruction in his village and surrounding areas, where nearly every tree has been uprooted.

“Mayotte is devastated… we are annihilated,” he lamented.

Cyclone’s impact continues in northern Mozambique

Chido continued its trajectory toward northern Mozambique, causing additional devastation, while landlocked Malawi and Zimbabwe have warned of possible evacuations due to impending flooding.

According to UNICEF, Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique, home to around 2 million people, was one of the first areas affected, with numerous homes, schools, and healthcare facilities either partially or completely destroyed.

UNICEF Mozambique spokesperson Guy Taylor cautioned that communities may be cut off from education and health services for weeks, as authorities warned of a heightened risk of landslides.

The cyclone season typically runs from December to March in the southwestern Indian Ocean, and southern Africa has faced a series of powerful storms in recent years. Cyclone Idai in 2019 resulted in over 1,300 deaths, primarily in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, while Cyclone Freddy led to more than 1,000 fatalities across multiple countries last year.

These cyclones increase the risk of flooding and landslides, and the stagnant water they leave behind can trigger deadly outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, as well as dengue fever and malaria.

Research suggests that the intensity of cyclones is rising due to climate change, placing a significant burden on impoverished nations in Africa that contribute minimally to global warming, underscoring the urgent need for assistance from wealthier countries to address the impacts of climate change.

—Corbet reported from Paris.