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France mobilized military aircraft and ships on Monday to deliver emergency supplies and rescue teams to Mayotte after Cyclone Chido devastated the French island territory, raising fears that the death toll could reach hundreds or even thousands.
The cyclone, described as the most destructive to hit Mayotte in nearly a century, flattened neighborhoods on Saturday, leaving survivors combing through debris in search of water, food, and shelter. Mayotte, the poorest region of France and the European Union, has been plunged into chaos.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced he would declare a national mourning period and intends to visit the island, calling the event “a tragedy that affects us all.”
In the capital, Mamoudzou, destruction was widespread. Homes lost roofs, palm trees were torn apart, and key infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and businesses lay in ruins. Winds exceeding 220 kph (136 mph), as reported by the French weather service, caused catastrophic damage.
“Mayotte is completely devastated,” said French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, adding that an estimated 70% of the population has been severely impacted. By Monday evening, authorities confirmed 21 deaths, with 45 people critically injured. However, French Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq warned that the true scale of fatalities is likely far greater given the extent of destruction.
Critical Conditions and Infrastructure Collapse
Power outages paralyzed the archipelago, with only the capital retaining limited electricity. Telecommunications remain down after most antennas were damaged, complicating rescue efforts. Authorities fear a worsening water crisis as drinking supplies dwindle.
The French Red Cross described the devastation as “unimaginable,” with some areas still inaccessible to rescuers due to severe damage, including to Mayotte’s main airport. Flights remain suspended until at least Thursday due to significant damage to the control tower.
Many residents underestimated Cyclone Chido’s strength, failing to evacuate beforehand. “No one thought it would be this powerful,” said Fahar Abdoulhamidi, a Mayotte resident. He explained that some people in informal settlements, known locally as bangas, chose to stay home out of fear of looting. Migrants, too, avoided shelters, fearing deportation.
Mayotte, a densely populated archipelago between Madagascar and the African coast, is home to over 320,000 residents, with an additional 100,000 undocumented migrants, according to French authorities. The predominantly Muslim population now faces an urgent humanitarian crisis.
“We have no water, no electricity, and hunger is spreading rapidly. Aid must arrive quickly, especially for children and infants who have nothing,” said Mayotte Senator Salama Ramia in an interview with BFM-TV.
France’s Response
Prefect François-Xavier Bieuville, the French government’s top official in Mayotte, estimated the death toll to be in the hundreds or possibly thousands. He highlighted the difficulty of accounting for fatalities, particularly given local Muslim burial customs, which require burials within 24 hours.
In response to the disaster, France deployed 1,500 personnel, including 800 military and civilian security forces. Additional police and gendarmerie units were dispatched to support residents and prevent looting. Emergency aid flights are delivering 20 tons of food and water daily to address immediate needs. A field hospital is expected to arrive by Thursday to support Mayotte’s overwhelmed main hospital, which sustained severe water damage.
Mayotte’s Ongoing Struggles
The disaster highlights longstanding grievances among Mayotte’s residents, who have criticized the French government for underinvestment and neglect. Three-quarters of the population lives in poverty, with incomes significantly lower than mainland France. The island has also faced water crises, political unrest, and rising far-right sentiments in recent years.
Cyclone Chido’s Path of Destruction
After battering Mayotte, Cyclone Chido moved westward, striking Mozambique, where it killed three people and injured dozens. Neighboring Malawi also reported two deaths. The cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean, spanning December to March, has brought devastating storms in recent years, including Cyclone Idai in 2019 and Cyclone Freddy in 2023, which together claimed thousands of lives.
On Monday, the European Parliament observed a minute of silence for Chido’s victims. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola reassured Mayotte’s residents, saying, “Mayotte is Europe, and Europe will not abandon you.”
