A powerful cyclone has struck the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, leaving hundreds feared dead and widespread destruction in its wake.
The cyclone, which brought wind speeds of over 225km/h (140mph), has severely impacted the island’s infrastructure, with downed power lines and impassable roads hindering rescue efforts. Residents are struggling to access basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. One resident, waiting in line for supplies, said, “We’ve had no water for three days now, so it’s starting to be a lot.”
The situation on the ground is dire, with many residents describing the devastation as “apocalyptic.” Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of the capital city Mamoudzou, told Reuters, “You feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war… I saw an entire neighborhood disappear.”
Rescue workers, including reinforcements from France, are combing through the debris searching for survivors. French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his condolences, saying, “My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte, who have gone through the most horrific few hours and who have, for some, lost everything, lost their lives.”
The death toll, currently estimated to be in the hundreds, is expected to rise significantly once the damage is fully assessed. Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the island’s prefect, warned that the death toll could reach the thousands.
Aid agencies, including Unicef, are scrambling to respond to the growing needs of the affected population. The organization’s spokesperson in Mozambique, Guy Taylor, expressed concern about the spread of diseases like cholera and malaria, as well as the loss of access to critical services like medical treatment and clean water.
Source: BBC
