Storm After cyclone: President Macron spends the night on Mayotte
French President Emmanuel Macron has extended his visit to the overseas territory of Mayotte, which was hit by a devastating cyclone. "It's a sign of respect and esteem," Macron told reporters on Thursday evening.
20.12.2024, 05:31
SDA
This is because leaving on the same day, given what the population is going through, "could give rise to the idea that you come, look and leave", said Macron, who had decided to spend the night on the island off the south-east coast of Africa.
During his visit on Thursday, Macron was criticized for government failures. "You're talking nonsense," shouted residents, calling on him to resign. "I am not the cyclone! I am not responsible," Macron finally shouted.
During his visit, he promised the residents a quick reconstruction. "I will do everything in my power to ensure that you have water, food and electricity," Macron also told the islanders. He promised to restore telephone connections in Mayotte "in the coming days".
31 people killed by cyclone "Chido"
Countless huts and corrugated iron shelters were devastated by the passage of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte at the weekend. Numerous undocumented migrants, mainly from the island state of Comoros near Mayotte, were living there, including many children without parents.
According to the latest information from the French Ministry of the Interior, at least 31 people died as a result of "Chido". Around 1400 others were injured. Government representatives assume that these figures will rise. Some estimates over the past few days put the death toll in the hundreds or even thousands. It was the worst storm to hit Mayotte in 90 years.
