At Least 11 Dead As Cyclone Chido Batters French Territory Of Mayotte 

PARIS, Dec 15 (Bernama-dpa) -- At least 11 people were dead and more than 250 have been injured after Cyclone Chido struck the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, according to French public broadcaster France Info on Sunday, as reported by German news agency dpa.

BFMTV, citing security sources, reported that the death toll from the storm, which hit the island on Saturday, could be as high as 14.

Acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Saturday evening that there had been a number of deaths but was unable to confirm the exact numbers. The situation on the island, which lies between Madagascar and the northern Mozambican coast, was catastrophic, he said.

All the poorly built houses on the island had been destroyed, he added. The island has a population of around 310,000.

Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, mayor of the island's capital, Mamoudzou, told BFMTV that many people had been injured and that the damage was severe. Roads were blocked, some areas were cut off and many residents were without power, he said.

The island's airport was also damaged, according to the report.

France's Météo France weather service said winds of more than 220 kilometres per hour had struck the island.

The authorities on the island had urged residents to seek shelter in robust buildings and to stay indoors before the cyclone struck.

-- BERNAMA-dpa