Reports of widespread damage are emerging from Mayotte after a 100-year cyclone ripped across the French archipelago Saturday, inflicting devastation that one resident likened to an atomic bomb, with hundreds and possibly even thousands of feared victims.

Officials on the archipelago off the eastern coast of Africa said the number of people killed by Tropical Cyclone Chido could be much higher than the 21 now confirmed dead.

Mayotte is the poorest territory of France and the European Union, and its people have accused French authorities of neglect.