Macron to visit Mayotte in aftermath of its worst storm in 90 years

French President Emmanuel Macron says he will soon visit Mayotte in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido that has slammed the French overseas territory.

The French president gathered key government officials for an emergency meeting at the French Interior Ministry’s crisis centre, to discuss an action plan for the devastated island, hit by the worst storm in almost a century.

In a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Macron said that all emergency measures will be deployed to help the inhabitants of Mayotte to ensure the continuity of state functions.

He continued saying all emergency services have been mobilised to deal with the emergency at hand, while stressing a need to prepare for the future. Macron added that will also declare a national mourning in the face of this tragedy.

More than a thousand civilians are missing and hundreds are already feared dead. Local authorities warn the death toll from the storm; the worst to hit the island in almost a century, could reach several thousand, though the official death toll still stands at 14.

On Monday, France used military aircraft to deliver life-saving aid and first responders to assist Mayotte in the search and rescue efforts. Civil security personnel and tonnes of equipment were flown in from nearby French overseas territory of Reunion.

About 800 rescuers are also expected to arrive at the island in the coming days, the delay is due to logistical difficulties. Mayotte’s only airport suffered damage to its control tower, rendering the ability of all but military aircraft to fly in, complicating response and relief efforts.

Chido made landfall with the densely populated island of about 300,000 people on Saturday. It brough wind speeds exceeding 220kph, according to the French weather service, ripping buildings apart. Residences, hospitals, civilian infrastructure, roads, telecommunications and slums sustained heavy damage.

Mayotte is France’s poorest department and is regarded as the poorest territory in the European Union, but it is a target for economic migration from even poorer countries like nearby Comoros and even Somalia because of a better standard of living and the French welfare system.

Some 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers have also been deployed to Mayotte. France’s Interior Ministry says their presence is important to control the situation, and prevent looting and crime.