Thousands of people may have died when Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm in nearly a century, struck Mayotte, a French Indian Ocean territory.

Local official Francois-Xavier Bieuville said the death toll could be in the hundreds or even thousands. He shared this grim outlook on Mayotte La 1ere, a local media outlet.

When asked about the casualties, France’s interior ministry said it is hard to account for all victims at this stage. They added that determining an exact figure will take time.

Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte overnight with winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph). The storm damaged homes, government offices, and even a hospital.

Meteo-France confirmed that it was the most powerful cyclone to strike the islands ever in more than 90 years.

The devastation left residents in shock. Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of Mamoudzou, Mayotte’s capital, compared the scene to a nuclear war. “Entire neighborhoods have disappeared,” he said during a phone interview.

Aerial footage showed debris from hundreds of makeshift homes scattered across hills. Many of these homes belonged to undocumented migrants from Comoros.

These migrants were probably drawn to Mayotte by its higher living standards and access to French welfare.

Heartbreaking scenes

Local media showed heartbreaking scenes, including a mother pushing a newborn’s crib through a flooded hospital corridor.

Coconut trees had crashed through rooftops, and capsized police boats littered the shoreline.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed sympathy, saying, “My thoughts are with our compatriots in Mayotte who have lived through horrific hours. Many have lost everything, even their lives.”

The cyclone has worsened existing challenges in Mayotte. Over 100,000 undocumented migrants live on the island, which has struggled with poverty, gang violence, and social unrest.

More than 75% of its population lives below France’s poverty line. Earlier this year, tensions rose due to a severe water shortage.

Relief efforts are underway. An air bridge is being established between Mayotte and Reunion, another French territory. However, concerns about access to food, water, and sanitation remain high.

Counting the dead is especially difficult because Mayotte’s predominantly Muslim population buries their dead within 24 hours.

Authorities are also struggling with damaged communication and infrastructure. A government spokesperson called the situation “complex and tragic.”

Other parts that were hit

The cyclone didn’t just impact Mayotte. It also hit northern Mozambique, damaging power and communication systems. In Comoros, authorities reported 21 homes destroyed, 24 displaced people, and two injuries.

Mayotte’s history adds to its unique struggles. France colonized the archipelago in 1843 and annexed it in 1904.

While other islands in the group declared independence in 1975, Mayotte chose to remain French. Today, it remains closely tied to Paris, though it is much poorer than mainland France.

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This disaster is the first major challenge for France’s new Prime Minister, Francois Bayrou, who was appointed days ago after the collapse of the previous government.

Cyclone Chido leaves Mayotte grappling with loss, destruction, and the urgent need for recovery.