Rescue teams are tirelessly searching for survivors on the French island of Mayotte, located off the east coast of Africa, after it was ravaged by Cyclone Chido over the weekend. Mayotte’s leader, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, has reported that more than a thousand lives may have been lost in the catastrophe.

The French Red Cross confirmed that most of the island’s shantytowns, home to approximately 100,000 people, have been completely destroyed. In response, France has deployed soldiers and firefighters to assist in the rescue efforts.

Cyclone Chido, which struck on December 14, is being described as the most powerful storm to hit Mayotte in 90 years, with wind speeds exceeding 225 km/h. The storm also affected Mozambique and Malawi, leaving devastation in its wake. Though it has weakened, it continues to raise concerns about flooding and landslides. The UN’s humanitarian agency, OCHA, has warned that 1.7 million people across the region are still at risk.

Agencies.