Cyclone leaves over 30 dead in French Territory

French Prime Minister François Bayrou says he believes that dozens of people died when Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte earlier this month and not thousands.

Officially, there are 35 deaths in the French territory.

The storm brought winds of 260 km/h.

Many areas are inaccessible and there is widespread damage. There is widespread water, communication, and electricity shortages. The area is one of the poorest parts of France.

Mayotte is located in the western Indian Ocean off the coast of Southeastern Africa.