Mayotte Authorities Fear Hunger Death Toll Rises In Mozambique

Authorities in Mayotte struggled on Tuesday to stop hunger, disease and lawlessness from spreading in the French overseas territory after the weekends devastating cyclone , while Mozambique reported dozens of deaths from the storm.

Hundreds or even thousands could be dead in Mayotte, which took the strongest hit from Cyclone Chido, French officials have said. The storm laid waste to large parts of the Indian Ocean archipelago, Frances poorest overseas territory , before striking the African mainland.

Essential goods, medical and technical staff and police were arriving via the air bridge with La Reunion, the territorys only lifeline.

With many parts of Mayotte still inaccessible and some victims buried before their deaths could be officially counted, it may take days to discover the full extent of the destruction.

So far, 22 deaths and 1,373 injuries have been confirmed in Mayotte, the interior ministry said, adding there were currently no reports of disease outbreaks.