Mauritius battered by tropical cyclone
All flights to and from Indian Ocean holiday hotspot Mauritius have been cancelled due to a tropical cyclone which has hit the honeymoon hotspot.
The international airport closed and all flights were cancelled until at least Friday morning. Among those cancelled was a British Airways departure from London Gatwick.
BA said: "We have sent messages to affected customers and will operate the flights to and from Mauritius once the cyclone has passed through the area.
"We are sorry for the delays to customers’ travel plans and have offered them a flexible rebooking policy."
Port Louis Harbour was also closed.
Tropical cyclone Berguitta buffeted Mauritius and neighbouring La Reunion Island with winds of up 80mph and heavy rainfall.
Authorities had raised the warning class to a level 3 cyclone and warned residents to take all precautions.
UK tour operator Thomas Cook said it had contacted the small number of customers it has in Mauritius and will stay in touch with them as the cyclone passes.
"We are monitoring the situation," added a Thomas Cook spokeswoman.
The Red Cross has put both Mauritius and Reunion on high alert and activated its disaster response.
The last major cyclone to hit Mauritius was in 1994 which killed two people.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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