Mayotte: Hundreds feared dead after Cyclone Chido ravages French island

Mayotte Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville told local TV as quoted by Sky News: "I think there are some several hundred dead, maybe we'll get close to a thousand, even thousands... given the violence of this event."

He said it was extremely 'difficult' to ascertain the exact figure.

According to local media reports, it is the strongest storm to hit the region in 90 years.

Winds rushing past 200 kmph ripped through the region and severely damaged houses, hospitals and numerous other buildings, paralysing normal life in the area.

French Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq said the main hospital in the region suffered severe damages.

In a Facebook post, she said: "At this time, the health system is severely affected and access to care is severely degraded. The hospital center of Mayotte suffered significant material damage."

French President Emmanuel Macron said his administration is closely monitoring the situation in the archipelago.

"I am closely following the situation in Mayotte. Mahorais, the whole country is at your side.Thank you to the government services, the rescue and security forces mobilized. Reinforcements are here, others will arrive tomorrow," he posted on X.

Rescue teams have reached the island and are trying to find survivors.

So far, France has deployed 110 soldiers, with an additional 160 expected to arrive later today when the French interior minister visits, reported BBC.

Located north of the Mozambique channel off the coast of south east Africa, the archipelago is comprised of two islands- Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre.