Cyclone Chido caused extensive damage on the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, leaving several people dead, officials said Saturday, as the storm roared toward the east coast of Africa.

France marked a day of mourning Monday for victims of Cyclone Chido, which devastated its poorest territory, Mayotte, over a week ago.

Discover more about Mayoette's economy and history, the islands devastated by the impact of the recent Cyclone Chido

Tropical Cyclone Chido struck southeast Africa, killing "perhaps a few thousand" in France's islands territory of Mayotte on Saturday and then hitting independent Mozambique on Sunday, officials said.

France is rushing rescue workers and supplies to its Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte after the island group off Africa was battered by its worst cyclone in nearly a century

Cyclone Chido not only ravaged Mayotte’s infrastructure but also laid bare tensions between the island’s residents and its migrant population.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou believes dozens of people died after the cyclone hit the territory, rather than thousands.

France is holding a day of national mourning after Cyclone Chido devastated its Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte earlier this month. French President Emmanuel Macron led Monday's tribute by holding a minute's silence for the storm's victims.