Emergency workers raced on Monday to restore basic services to the French overseas territory of Mayotte, where hundreds or even thousands are feared dead from the most powerful cyclone to hit the Indian Ocean island in nearly a century.

Several hundred feared dead after cyclone in French territory of Mayotte - Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte overnight with winds of more than 200kmph (124 mph), damaging housing, government buildings and a h

The French Interior Ministry said 1,600 police and gendarmerie officers have been deployed to 'help the population and prevent potential looting.'