At least 11 people were killed when Cyclone Chido made landfall, and the death toll is expected to grow further. While French officials announced that 250 firefighters and security officers would be sent to the islands, some of whom have already arrived, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would "be there" for the people of Mayotte.
France's interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, claimed "all makeshift homes have been destroyed" and predicted a "heavy" death toll. The AFP reported a higher death toll of at least 14, citing a security source. Mayotte, located northwest of Madagascar, is an archipelago comprising one large island, Grand-Terre, and several smaller islands.
Air traffic will be restored first using military aid planes. Ships are on their way to provide supplies," he stated. Even before the cyclone struck full force on Saturday morning, there were reports of trees uprooted, roofs pulled off buildings, and electricity lines down. Abdoul Karim Ahmed Allaoui, the leader of Mayotte's firefighters' union, told the BFM news station on Saturday morning that "even emergency responders are locked down".He said, "There is no mobile phone service, so we can't reach anyone on the island." Even buildings designed to withstand earthquakes have collapsed.It has since been reduced to red to allow emergency personnel to evacuate their bases. Retailleau claimed the island had not seen such severe weather since 1934. After striking Mayotte, the storm developed overnight as it crossed the Mozambique Channel.
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