French overseas territories hit by storm, authorities report hundreds dead.

The cyclone has led to the loss of several hundred lives in the Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean. This was reported by the prefect of Mayotte, François-Xavier Bieville.

According to official data, 14 people have died so far, but Bieville claims the death toll could be in the hundreds or even thousands. It is difficult to establish the exact number as local victims are buried within a day.

Cyclone Chidro swept over the archipelago on the night of December 14 to 15, causing the destruction of a third of the housing of nearly 100,000 people. Authorities are trying to shelter the affected in temporary accommodation points.

The first plane with aid and medical personnel arrived in Mayotte on Sunday to provide urgent assistance.

Other natural disasters

In October, storm 'Dana' swept through Spain, causing floods and resulting in 217 fatalities. A strong storm also hit the Pacific Northwest of the United States, leaving half a million homes without power and resulting in one death.