France Declares Day of Mourning for Mayotte Cyclone Victims

France’s President Emmanuel Macron France pronounced France’s first ever national day of mourning for a climate-related disaster on Monday to honor the victims of Tropical Cyclone Chido, France’s Radio RFI reported. The cyclone devastated France’s overseas territory of Mayotte last week.
Macron directed that flags across France fly at half-mast, calling on all citizens to observe a minute of silence at 11 a.m. to “share in the pain of the Mahorais,” a somber moment for France. The country is grappling with the human toll of climate-related catastrophes such as Chido, which tore through the Indian Ocean archipelago, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, and plunging France’s outpost island of Mayotte into a humanitarian crisis.
Official reports confirm 31 fatalities and 1,500 injuries, but the death toll is feared to be significantly higher due to the presence of undocumented migrants from the neighboring Comoros and mainland Africa. Thousands remain unaccounted for, and many areas are inaccessible, compounding fears of a rising death toll.
Heavy rains following the cyclone have worsened conditions for survivors, especially those from flattened shantytown settlements. Health officials are warning of a potential surge in disease outbreaks due to unburied bodies and a critical lack of clean drinking water.
During his visit to Mayotte last week, Macron surveyed the devastation and pledged further support to the island, France’s poorest department. Immediate measures include deployment of an additional 400 gendarmes to maintain security and deliveries of food and water supplies via air and sea.
France is also activating the European disaster response mechanism, with requests for 10,000 tents and emergency accommodations to aid displaced residents.
Macron acknowledged the chronic underinvestment in Mayotte’s infrastructure and public services, a situation that has exacerbated the crisis. Critics have accused the French government of neglecting the territory, leaving it ill-prepared for such disasters.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI expressed condolences to President Macron and extended solidarity to France and Mayotte. “I was deeply moved to learn of the devastating passage of Cyclone Chido over Mayotte,” the King wrote in a message of support.
The island continues to face immense challenges as it recovers from the cyclone. Thousands are without shelter, and access to basic necessities remains limited. With many communities isolated and rescue efforts hampered by the scale of destruction, Mayotte’s path to recovery will require sustained national and international support.
Today’s national day of mourning is not just a tribute to the victims but also a stark reminder of the growing impact of climate-related disasters and the urgent need for resilience and preparedness in vulnerable regions.