Initial reports indicated an explosion had taken place somewhere on the island. The local authorities said on Twitter: “Tonight, several testimonies reported a noise that would have occurred in the Mahorais sky. At this stage no explanation could be provided. All states are mobilised to find an explanation of this phenomenon.”
It later became clear a meteor had entered the Earth’s atmosphere above Mayotte.
One resident said: “It’s gone int he direction of the sea. It was a ball of fire that had a kind of tail and was going very fast.
“The fire was very bright on the front. The fireball travelled from Labattoir to head offshore.”
A dash-cam video also appeared to show the meteor streaking towards the ground in a huge blaze of light.
The incident took place at around 9.30pm local time (6.30pm GMT).
This is a developing story, more to follow…