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.

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 rushed rescue teams and supplies to its largely poor overseas department in the Indian Ocean that has suffered widespread destruction.