DENIS, La Reunion, France (Reuters) -At least three people died when cyclone Garance slammed into the French overseas territory of La Reunion on Friday with wind speeds of up to 155 kph (96 mph), Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said.

Mauritius shut its main airport the previous day, while the nearby French island of La Reunion was set to do the same on Thursday. Garance was labeled a class 3 cyclone by Mauritius -- the second-highest alert level -- with gusts of up to 70 kph expected.

Residents of the Indian Ocean islands Mauritius and La Reunion rushed to stockpile essential items on Thursday, as Cyclone Garance approached the two territories. The storm, which is expected to pass 50 kilometers from La Reunion's shores,

Cyclone Garance barrelled across La Reunion island on Friday killing three people as fierce winds left destruction across the French Indian Ocean territory, authorities said. Prefect Latron said that Garance was fiercer than cyclone Belal that killed four people on La Reunion in January 2024.

Cyclone Garance slammed into the French overseas territory of La Reunion with top wind speeds of 96 mph (155 kph) on Friday (February 28), blowing away roofs and cutting power and access to drinking water for many residents.