Cyclone Chido has caused severe damage to Mayotte, a French territory located in the Indian Ocean, with thousands of lives feared lost. The storm hit the island on December 14, bringing winds of over 136 mph that caused massive destruction. Mayotte’s top official, Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, believes the death toll could be in the hundreds, possibly reaching close to a thousand, as the island is cut off from communication, making it difficult to determine the exact number of casualties.

So far, at least 11 people have been confirmed dead, and 246 others are reported injured. The island’s hospitals are overwhelmed, with many more residents critically hurt. Experts warn that the death toll may continue to rise in the coming days as more damage is assessed.

The storm didn’t just affect Mayotte. Cyclone Chido also impacted nearby islands, including Comoros and Madagascar. However, Mayotte was directly in the cyclone’s path, and the damage has been described as the worst the island has faced in 90 years.

The storm flattened entire neighborhoods, ripped off roofs, and destroyed small buildings. Some areas saw trees uprooted, and boats were flipped or sunk. In response, 1,600 police officers have been deployed to help the people and prevent looting, as the region struggles to recover.

Mayotte’s infrastructure has been heavily damaged, including the main hospital and the airport, making recovery efforts difficult. The French government is working to send aid and support to the island in this time of crisis.