Death toll in French colony island Mayotte rises to 31 following Cyclone Chido

​​​​​​​By Esra Taskin

PARIS (AA) - The death toll in Mayotte rose to 31 from Cyclone Chido on Wednesday.

Officials on the French Indian Ocean colony have concerns that the number could rise in the coming days.

A curfew remains in place on the island from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. local time.

Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote on X that more than 700 soldiers have been deployed to assist in relief efforts.

Lecornu also noted that patients have been evacuated to France's other overseas territory in La Reunion.

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Mayotte on Thursday to assess the situation.

Chido struck Dec. 14 and brought with it winds exceeding 220 kilometers per hour (136 mph) that caused widespread damage.

Buildings, including makeshift homes, were destroyed, and there were significant disruptions to infrastructure.

The storm downed power line and uprooted trees, leaving school buildings, the hospital in the capital of Mamoudzou, and the Mamoudzou Port among damaged sites.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul