France observes national day of mourning for Mayotte cyclone victims

FRANCE 24

23 December 2024 at 2:39 am·1-min read

France on Monday observes a national day of mourning set by President Emmanuel Macron for the victims of Cyclone Chido on the French overseas territory of Mayotte. More than a week after the storm hit, the official death toll is 35, although authorities say the real toll could be in the hundreds or even thousands.

Flags flew at half-mast and the national observed a minute's silence in public offices across France and its overseas territories on Monday for the victims of Cyclone Chido, the most devastating storm to hit Mayotte in 90 years.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the national day of mourning last week during a trip to the Indian Ocean archipelago, which is France’s poorest territory.

Cyclone Chido’s provisional toll stands at 35 people killed and around 2,500 injured. But authorities say the real toll could be in the hundreds or even thousands.

Emergency teams have struggled to cope with the scale of disaster as aid arrived by air and sea to the remote French territory.

The storm has left many residents struggling to meet basic needs.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)

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