The storm is being described as the worst to hit Mayotte in the past century, with residents likening the destruction to that of a nuclear bomb.(Photo: The Canadian Press)
Storm Chido has devastated Mayotte, France, with winds reaching 225 km/h, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Dozens of settlements have been completely destroyed, and it is feared that at least 1,000 people have died, though this figure is yet to be officially confirmed.
The storm is being described as the worst to hit Mayotte in the past century, with residents likening the destruction to that of a nuclear bomb.
Reports highlight that 48–50% of Mayotte's population are non-natives, many of whom arrived on the island via illegal migration. Located approximately 5,000 miles from Paris, Mayotte is the poorest region in the European Union, grappling with high unemployment, violence, and an ongoing migration crisis.