Cyclone Gezani leaves 36 dead and thousands of homes destroyed in Madagascar

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Cyclone Gezani killed at least 36 people, injured more than 370 and destroyed almost 18,000 homes in a 24-hour spell of destruction across Madagascar, authorities said Thursday.

Madagascar’s president has declared a national disaster and made a plea for international leaders to help the largely poor Indian Ocean island.

The tropical cyclone made landfall late Tuesday and caused widespread destruction in the main port city of Toamasina on the east coast before tearing across the country.