French Senator: Hundreds dead, yet French authorities call immigration Mayotte's main problem

December 17, 2024 12:32

The French government has faced severe criticism from politicians and activists for its inadequate preparation and slow response to the devastating aftermath of Cyclone Shido, which struck the overseas department of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean.

Senator Mélanie Vogel from the "Europe Ecology" party sharply reacted to a statement made by France's acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Retailleau wrote that the catastrophe highlighted the need for decisive measures in migration policy, adding that many illegal immigrants did not take shelter for fear of being arrested.

In response, Vogel noted, "A cyclone caused by climate change has hit an abandoned French territory. Hundreds, even thousands of deaths are expected. And you write that Mayotte's problem is... illegal immigration. Disgusting."

Prime Minister François Bayrou also faced criticism for not visiting the affected Mayotte. Instead of the disaster-stricken region, he attended a municipal council meeting in the city of Pau, where he serves as mayor, Reuters reports.

National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet commented, "I would have really preferred that the Prime Minister, instead of flying to Pau, went to Mamoudzou."

Meanwhile, Mayotte authorities continue to grapple with the cyclone's aftermath, the most destructive in 90 years. According to Meteo France, wind speeds reached 200 km/h. Twenty-two deaths have been confirmed, with over 1,400 people injured.

As many areas of Mayotte remain inaccessible, hundreds or even thousands could have fallen victim to the cyclone, but their deaths have not been officially accounted for. The lack of electricity on the territory exacerbates the situation.

President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to visit Mayotte in the coming days. However, the island's residents, where more than three-quarters of the population lives in poverty, remain dissatisfied with the insufficient support from France.