TANANARIVE, Mar 9, 2004 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- A ferry with 100 passengers aboard from the Comoran island of Anjouan was missing on its way to Madagascar because of the tropical cyclone Galifo on Sunday, local authorities said Tuesday here.
The ferry, nicknamed Samson, was scheduled to arrive at Mahajanga, a Madagascan island which holds many immigrants from Comoros, on Monday morning, but no word has been heard from it since Sunday evening.
Radio Madagasikara, the official radio, reported Monday that Galifo had at least taken 18 lives while destroying homes of more than 50,000 people.
Two people were killed by a falling tree, another person electrocuted and 10 others drowned as the cyclone, which was likely to be the country's worst storm in 10 years, swept across the island over the weekend.
The Madagascan government on Monday convened a meeting attended by foreign diplomats, donors and other international organizations based on the island, calling for international aid after Galifo caused huge damage.
Galifo arrived overnight on the island near the city of Antalaha blowing at 120 km per hour, with gusts as high as 180 km per hour.