A cyclone has hit the island of Mayotte, killing at least 11 people in the heaviest storm to hit the French Indian Ocean archipelago north of Madagascar in nearly 100 years, French forecasters and authorities said.
Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte overnight, bringing winds of more than 124 mph (200 kph) and damaging temporary housing, government buildings and hospitals, Meteo France said. Forecasters said the storm was the strongest to hit the island in more than 90 years.
Officials said it was difficult to determine the exact death toll after the cyclone, which also raised concerns about access to food, water and sanitation.
“The number of deaths will be complicated because Mayotte is a Muslim country and the dead are buried within 24 hours,” a French Interior Ministry official said.
Mayotte is significantly poorer than other parts of France and has struggled with gang violence and social unrest for decades. Tensions escalated earlier this year due to water shortages.
