February 10, 2025

French Prime Minister clarifies that dozens, not thousands, were killed on Mayotte by Cyclone Chido

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Dozens not thousands killed on Mayotte by Cyclone Chido - French PM

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has addressed concerns regarding the death toll from Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte on December 14, stating that while the situation is tragic, the number of deaths is likely in the dozens, not the thousands as some initially feared. Bayrou, speaking to BFMTV, expressed confidence that the “alarmist and sometimes terrifying numbers” being circulated would not reflect the actual outcome.

As of now, the confirmed death toll in Mayotte stands at 35, though early reports from local authorities had raised the possibility that it could reach several hundred or even thousands. François-Xavier Bieuville, the local prefect of Mayotte, had originally stated that the death toll could be in the hundreds, but he has since reassured the public that investigations on the ground are progressing and that the number of confirmed deaths is currently at 35. Bieuville defended his initial remarks, explaining that he was simply unable to provide an accurate figure in the immediate aftermath of the disaster and had never intended to sound alarmist.

One of the major challenges in confirming the scale of the fatalities has been the inaccessibility of many areas on the island. Mayotte is home to several remote regions that were severely impacted by the cyclone, making it difficult for officials to reach the affected areas and conduct thorough assessments. Additionally, due to Islamic customs, victims of the cyclone are traditionally buried within 24 hours, which further complicated the process of counting casualties in the wake of the disaster.

Another complicating factor is the uncertainty surrounding the true population of Mayotte. The official population of the French territory is estimated at around 320,000, but local authorities believe there could be as many as 100,000 to 200,000 undocumented migrants living on the island. This large population of unregistered residents poses a challenge to both disaster relief efforts and the accurate reporting of casualty figures.

Despite these difficulties, Prime Minister Bayrou emphasized that the number of deaths will likely be in the dozens rather than the thousands. “I think [the number of dead] will be in the dozens and not in the thousands,” he asserted during a recent interview. Mayotte is one of France’s poorest regions, and many of its residents live in informal settlements that were particularly vulnerable to the destructive force of the cyclone. Cyclone Chido, which was the most powerful storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century, brought winds of up to 260 km/h (160 mph), wreaking havoc on communities where many people live in makeshift homes with corrugated metal roofs.

In response to the devastation, France declared a national day of mourning, honoring the victims of the cyclone. French President Emmanuel Macron visited Mayotte in the aftermath of the storm, where he faced criticism from local residents, who demanded increased aid for the affected areas. Survivors went without basic services, such as water and electricity, for several days following the storm, creating additional hardship for the community.

Authorities worked diligently to restore essential services, and by Tuesday, water supplies had been partially restored to the most affected areas. While the water distribution system remained difficult to manage, officials assured the public that supplies were improving. Additionally, fuel shortages that had plagued the island in the days following the storm were resolved, allowing cars to refuel once again. Prime Minister Bayrou also mentioned that a field hospital would be operational by Tuesday morning to provide medical care for those in need.

After devastating Mayotte, Cyclone Chido moved on to continental Africa, where it caused further destruction. The storm killed at least 120 people in Mozambique and 13 in Malawi, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Despite the tragic impact of the cyclone, the French government remains focused on providing continued support to Mayotte as it recovers from one of the most devastating storms in its history.

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