French Prime Minister François Bayrou believes that Cyclone Chitot killed dozens of people when it hit the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte on December 14, rather than the thousands that some feared.

Bellew told BFMTV he did not think the “alarmist and sometimes frightening figures put forward will be borne out in reality”.

The death toll in Mayotte so far stands at 35, but in the aftermath of the hurricane, local premier François-Xavier Bieuville feared the death toll “will certainly reach hundreds.” ”, maybe even thousands.

On Tuesday, the prefect told France Info radio that the on-site investigation was progressing well and “leads us to think that we will confirm this figure of 35”.

Bierville defended his initial remarks, insisting “I was never an alarmist, I just couldn’t provide a number of victims.”

Officials said it was difficult to determine the death toll after the disaster 10 days ago because many areas in Mayotte were inaccessible and victims were buried within 24 hours in accordance with Islamic custom.

There is also uncertainty about the true population of the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte.

Officially, it has 320,000 residents, but authorities estimate that around 100,000 to 200,000 undocumented immigrants may also live there.

“I think (the death toll) will be in the dozens, not the thousands,” the Prime Minister told BFMTV on Monday night.

The archipelago is one of the poorest regions in France, with many residents living in shantytowns.

Cyclone Chido was the worst storm to hit the region in 90 years, bringing winds of up to 260 km/h (160 mph) and flattening areas where people lived in shacks with metal roofs.

France held a national day of mourning on Monday after the hurricane struck. French President Emmanuel Macron visited the area last week and was heckled by angry locals demanding more aid to the stricken area.

Some survivors went a week without water, communications or electricity.

Bieuville said authorities restored water supplies at key locations in the area on Tuesday. “Even though that water is still a little difficult to get around at times, our fellow citizens still have water.”

He also said there is no longer a shortage of fuel and cars can now be filled up.

The prime minister had earlier said a field hospital would also be operational on Tuesday morning.

Cyclone Chito hits the island of Mayotte and then moves to the African continent, killing 120 people in mozambique Malawi has 13.