Gafilo hits Madagascar a 2nd time

[senorpepr]

A cyclone which smashed into the coast of Madagascar on Sunday has hit the island a second time three days later.
Cyclone Gafilo made landfall around the town of Morombe early on Wednesday morning but there is no news of any further damage.

At least 23 people were killed and more than 50,000 made homeless when Cyclone Gafilo first hit.
There is still no news of a ferry carrying 100 passengers which failed to arrive on the island on Monday.
Family and friends of those on board the Samson have been waiting anxiously for news at the port of Majunga, where it was meant to dock.

The ferry was 150 kilometers (93 miles) off the Madagascan coast when contact was last made, Madagascan newspaper L'Express de Madagascar said.

The paper said there were 78 passengers and 18 crew on board the Comoros registered vessel.
Cyclone Gafilo first ripped through northern Madagascar at wind speeds of up to 200 km/h destroying buildings, uprooting trees and flooding towns.

Officials said there was no immediate word on its strength when it hit for a second time.
The government appealed for international aid to help deal with what authorities feared could be one of the worst cyclones the island has experienced.

Madagascar is usually exposed to cyclones between December and March.
Last month 29 people were killed and tens of thousands were made homeless by Cyclone Elita.