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Cyclone Gezani Death Toll in Madagascar Rises to 35 After Toamasina’s Direct Hit

Officials say the scale of destruction has overwhelmed local capacity, prompting an appeal for international assistance.

Overview

  • Authorities report 6 people missing and 374 injured, with winds up to 250 km/h tearing through the port city.
  • Madagascar’s leader said nearly 75% of Toamasina was ravaged, and the disaster agency counted about 18,000 homes destroyed and nearly 50,000 damaged or flooded.
  • Action Against Hunger described near-total roofing loss in the worst-hit areas, with roads blocked by downed trees and debris.
  • Commercial flights to Toamasina are suspended while humanitarian and military flights operate, and 15 military civil-protection personnel have been deployed.
  • Meteorologists forecast the system will re-intensify over the Mozambique Channel, potentially reaching intense tropical cyclone strength and threatening parts of southern Africa from Friday night.