PM Wong sends condolences to families of victims hit by Cyclone Chido

SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lawrence Wong shared his condolences with French President Emmanuel Macron for the victims of Cyclone Chido in France’s overseas territory of Mayotte.

In a letter dated Dec 21, Mr Wong said he was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of lives and devastation caused by Cyclone Chido across Mayotte.

“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and my sincere sympathies to all those whose lives have been affected,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Mayotte during this difficult time.”

Mayotte, which has a population of roughly 320,000, is located 500km east of Mozambique and is France’s poorest region.

Mozambique’s disaster management agency said the death toll from the cyclone – which struck Mayotte on Dec 14 – was 94 as at Dec 22.

Photos of Mayotte following the cyclone show homes with their roofs ripped off and pieces of corrugated metal planks strewn on the grounds.

A hospital in the region’s capital Mamoudzou had its windows blown out and doors ripped off from hinges, according to AFP.

“The tragedy of Mayotte is probably the worst natural disaster in the past several centuries of French history,” French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou was reported as saying.

Mr Macron on Dec 19 visited the disaster-hit territory, bringing with him four tons of food and health aid, as well as rescue workers.

He has said that more support would be provided soon, including 400 more gendarmes to ensure security, and noted a surge of food and water arriving by air and sea.