A storm caused serious damage in the French overseas territory of Mayotte. Numerous houses are destroyed and many people are injured. The authorities assume several deaths.

In the French overseas territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, several people have died as a result of cyclone “Chido”. There have been deaths, said France’s acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, but it is not yet possible to say how many. It may take days before an exact number can be given. Retailleau spoke of a dramatic situation. All precarious housing was destroyed by the cyclone. The area was devastated.

The mayor of the island’s capital Mamoudzou, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, told BFMTV that there were many injured. The damage was also enormous. Roads were blocked and some areas were cut off. Thousands of households were reportedly without electricity. The local airport was also damaged.

Mayotte: Cyclone “Chido” leaves a trail of destruction on an archipelago in the Indian Ocean