France Holds Mourning Services for Mayotte's Cyclone Chido Victims

France held a day of national mourning in the memory of the victims of the Cyclone Chido.

France is holding a day of national mourning after Cyclone Chido devastated its Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte.

French President Emmanuel Macron led Monday's tribute by holding a minute's silence for the storm's victims.

He called for the nationwide remembrance during his visit to the island last week.

Thousands, of people died when Cyclone Chido made landfall off the territory on 14 December.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou said that the service was "symbolic of our solidarity with all those who are suffering".

"It is a commitment to ensure that the national community is present, to rebuild Mayotte and to ensure that the people of Mayotte feel surrounded by an entire country," he added.

Flags have been lowered at half-mast in a show of solidarity in French cities including Paris, Marseille and Lyon.

The moment of silence was also observed in Mayotte, where survivors are struggling without water, communication and electricity.

French MP for Mayotte Estelle Youssouffa, told the BBC that 90% of the island, which lies between the African mainland and Madagascar, had been destroyed.

"All public services are down," she added.

"Those who are ill are unable to get help or to go to the only hospital on the island, which has been almost totally destroyed."