Cyclone Chido has been linked to at least 14 fatalities on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, as reported by a security source.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau cautioned on Sunday that this provisional death toll may rise further as ongoing rescue operations continue.
The cyclone, also referred to as Chido-25, struck Mayotte’s densely populated shantytowns, resulting in extensive destruction. Emergency services are currently assessing the full scale of the damage and are working to assist those affected.
The storm is now heading toward the coast of Mozambique, raising concerns about its potential impact on mainland Africa.
Authorities have issued warnings throughout the Southern Indian Ocean, closely monitoring the cyclone’s strength and trajectory.
