Fear for Hundreds of Victims as Cyclone Hits French Archipelago Mayotte

paris - At least fourteen victims have been confirmed in the overseas French territory as Cyclone Chido leaves a trail of destruction in the Indian Ocean island group.

Cyclone Chido has caused widespread devastation across the archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The death toll is expected to rise to 'at least several hundreds' and 'we may even reach a thousand or even a few thousand,' said prefect François-Xavier Bieuville to the media. This top official previously described it as 'the most powerful and devastating tropical cyclone to hit Mayotte in ninety years.'

The shantytowns, where about a third of the archipelago's over 300,000 residents near Madagascar live, were largely destroyed. Power, communication links, and water supplies were disrupted. The French government has pledged to provide swift assistance.

The cyclone swept across Mayotte on Saturday with wind speeds of 226 kilometers per hour. Damage to the airport could hamper the delivery of aid to the island group.