Authorities in Mayotte fear the death toll from Category 4 Cyclone Chido could reach hundreds or even thousands.

France is rushing help by ship and military aircraft to its poor overseas territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean that has been shattered by its worst storm in nearly a century.

The tropical storm has devastated the French territory located in the Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar. The number of dead in the French territory of Mayotte due to cyclone Chido could reach 1,000, the island's top government official reported on Sunday.