Even days after the severe storm on the French-owned island group of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, the number of victims remains unclear. So far, 21 deaths have been officially confirmed, but the authorities still fear that hundreds or even thousands of people may have lost their lives.
Rescue teams were still busy on Tuesday with the search for the missing and the removal of debris. The authorities, meanwhile, imposed a curfew from 10 pm to 4 am local time to prevent looting. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau had previously announced that additional forces would be sent.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would visit Mayotte in the coming days. He also intends to declare a national day of mourning, he wrote on Twitter.
Numerous foreign state and government leaders condoled after the disaster, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Tuesday: “In the name of the Federal Government and the German people, I express my deepest condolences” he wrote to Macron. Germany stands ready to offer help and support in overcoming the disaster.
The cyclone Chido struck the island group on Sunday with wind speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour. A third of the population lives in shantytowns, which were largely destroyed in the disaster. The supply of power and water was interrupted.