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UP to 1,000 people are feared dead after a horror cyclone ripped through a French territory in the Indian Ocean, an official has said.
Cyclone Chido has left a terrifying trail of destruction in its wake due to the 136mph winds which have been described as the worst seen for 90 years.
The French territory of Mayotte has been devastated by Cyclone Chido[/caption]
Piles of debris from the destroyed homes of civilians have built up[/caption]
Trees have been uprooted across the island as cars were left deserted in the middle of the roads as the terrifying weather arrived[/caption]
The French army has been deployed to help in Mayotte[/caption]
Harrowing pictures show the devastation left behind due to the powerful cyclone after it battered the island of of Mayotte over the weekend.
Mayotte Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville told local TV station la 1ere that the death toll is set to continue to rise as rescue operations begin to take place.
He said: “I think there are some several hundred dead, maybe we’ll get close to a thousand, even thousands… given the violence of this event.”
He added it is “extremely difficult” to get an exact figure at the moment.
Officials have so far confirmed at least 11 deaths in Mayotte as of this morning.
The French army has been deployed to the worst affected areas on the island to help with the clean up and recovery operations.
Nearby islands of Comoros and Madagascar were also badly affected on Saturday as it blew the strong winds through the southeastern Indian Ocean.
Top forecaster Meteo-France described it as the strongest storm in more than 90 years to hit the island territories.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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