King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: Ludovic MARIN
By Safaa Kasraoui
Dec. 18, 2024 8:39 p.m.
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Rabat - King Mohammed VI has sent his sincere condolences and solidarity to French President Emmanuel Macron following the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte.
Although located in the Indian Ocean, Mayotte is an overseas department of France and is directly governed by Paris. However, it is the poorest region of France, with an estimated third of the population living in shanty towns.
In the message, the King said he had learned with deep emotion about the devastating passage of Cyclone Chido over Mayotte.
“In this painful moment for your nation, I extend my sincere condolences and, through you, to the French people and the grievingn families, my deepest compassion,” the King said.
He added that his thoughts also go to the injured and all those affected by the disaster, expressing full solidarity with the European country.
Reports said that hudnerds of people could be dead as a result of the cyclone, which deeveloped from a tropical depression in the southereastern Indian Ocean basin earlier this month.
The disaster hit Mayotte on Saturday morning last week.
In Mayotte, the official death toll was estimated at at least 19 people as of Monday.
“It will be difficult to account for all victims,” the French Ministry of Interior said, noting that the total number of those affected is yet to be determined.
The country also sent aid and military personnel to assist in the rescuing efforts.
