In brief
Following the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido on Mayotte, French officials revise initial high estimates of casualties, stating that ongoing investigations are likely to confirm a death toll of around 35 rather than the feared thousands.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou expressed on Monday that the death toll from Cyclone Chido, which struck the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte on December 14, is likely to be in the dozens rather than the thousands previously speculated. Speaking to BFMTV, Bayrou suggested that the "alarmist and sometimes terrifying numbers" circulating may not reflect the reality on the ground, as the confirmed fatalities currently stand at 35.In the chaotic aftermath, local prefect François-Xavier Bieuville had initially expressed concerns that the death toll could potentially be several hundred or even thousands. He stated that ongoing field investigations have been fruitful and support the lower number of 35 fatalities. Bieuville defended his early assessments by emphasizing that he was not trying to alarm the public but was simply unable to immediately provide casualty figures.The assessment of fatalities has been complicated by the devastation caused by the cyclone, which is being described as the worst storm to hit the region in 90 years. Many affected areas remain inaccessible, making it difficult for authorities to gather accurate data. Additionally, many victims were buried within 24 hours in adherence to Islamic customs, which further obscures the casualty count.Mayotte, a territory with an official population of around 320,000, also has a significant number of undocumented migrants—estimated between 100,000 to 200,000—complicating population and casualty assessments. Cyclone Chido, with wind speeds reaching up to 260 km/h (160 mph), caused widespread destruction, particularly in impoverished shantytowns where residents lived in makeshift housing. The French government declared a national day of mourning for the victims of the cyclone on Monday, during which President Emmanuel Macron faced criticism from residents demanding more support for recovery efforts.In the wake of the storm, many survivors experienced a week without water, power, or communication. However, authorities reported some progress in restoring basic services, noting that water supply was being established in key areas by Tuesday. A field hospital is also set to be operational, providing needed medical assistance to those affected.Following its devastation of Mayotte, Cyclone Chido moved on to mainland Africa, leaving behind a trail of destruction and further fatalities, with at least 120 reported dead in Mozambique and an additional 13 in Malawi.
