French authorities say they will send hundreds more rescuers in the coming days to assist with rescue operations after devastating Hurricane Chido hit the densely populated archipelago on Saturday.
France sent aid with ships and military planes overseas territory of Mayottein the Indian Ocean, after the island was devastated by the worst storm in almost a century. Mayotte officials say hundreds and probably Thousands of people died due to Hurricane ChidoAlthough the official death toll was 14 on Monday morning.
Rescue teams and medical personnel were sent to the island off the east coast of Africa From France and the nearby French region of La Réunionand tons of stuff.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau arrived in the capital of Mayotte
French television channel ‘TF1’ reported on Monday morning that the Minister of Internal Affairs said: Bruno Retail StoreWe arrived in Mamoudzou, the capital of Mayotte..
He told staff in Mayotte that “all means” would be mobilized to help people, adding that “if these efforts are dispersed and without extremely strong coordination logistics, it will be in vain.”
French officials said more than 800 additional soldiers were expected to arrive in the coming days to comb through the devastation caused by rescuers as Chido struck. The densely populated archipelago was home to about 300,000 people as of Saturday..
Neighborhoods left without power and an airport without a control tower
Entire neighborhoods were razed to the ground, public infrastructure such as the main airport and hospital were severely damaged and electricity supplies were cut off, French officials said. Damage to airport control tower Only military aircraft can fly to MayotteThis makes the answer difficult.
Mayotte is the poorest region in France It is considered the poorest region in the European Union, but is the target of economic migration from poorer countries such as nearby Comoros and even Somalia due to a better standard of living and the French welfare system.
Winds of more than 220 kilometers per hour
Chido crossed the southwestern Indian Ocean on Friday and Saturday. also affects nearby Comoros and Madagascar islands. But Mayotte was directly in the hurricane’s path and was hit hardest. Chido brought winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour, making it a category 4 hurricane, the second strongest on the scale, according to the French meteorological service.
