Mon Dec 16 12:10:34 UTC 2024: ## Cyclone Freddy Kills at Least 11 in Mayotte, France

**Paris, France** – At least 11 people have died in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean after being ravaged by Cyclone Freddy, the French Interior Ministry announced Sunday. The ministry warned that the death toll is likely to rise, with precise figures difficult to obtain due to the scale of the devastation and ongoing rescue efforts. A Mayotte hospital reported nine people in critical condition and a further 246 injured.

The tropical cyclone, which swept across the southwest Indian Ocean, also impacted nearby Comoros and Madagascar. Mayotte bore the brunt of the storm Saturday, experiencing widespread destruction. Officials described it as the most violent cyclone to hit Mayotte in 90 years. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin stated on Saturday night following an emergency meeting in Paris that he feared the death toll in Mayotte would be “high.”

Cyclone Freddy, packing winds exceeding 136 mph (219 km/h) according to French meteorological services, caused significant damage across Mayotte’s two main islands and smaller surrounding islets. Many structures were leveled, with reports of widespread tree damage, capsized and sunk boats, and significant damage to Mayotte’s main airport.

Mayotte, France’s poorest overseas department, has faced previous challenges including drought and underinvestment. Cyclone Freddy has now made landfall in Mozambique, where emergency officials warn that 2.5 million people in two northern provinces could be affected. Landlocked Malawi and Zimbabwe are also preparing for potential impact, anticipating evacuations from low-lying areas due to flooding.

The devastating impact of Cyclone Freddy follows a series of intense cyclones in the southwest Indian Ocean in recent years, including Cyclone Idai in 2019 which killed over 1,500 people in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. The full extent of the damage and casualties in Mayotte and the surrounding region is still being assessed.

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