Video: plague of locusts descends on Madagascar

A thick grey swarm of locusts engulfed Madagascar’s capital this week, sending children scuttling and causing florists to burn tyres in panic. A bank of ravenous insects clouded the sky over Antananarivo, with countless thousands raining down dead onto the streets. Locust swarms are common on this Indian Ocean island, with the hot and humid climate serving as an ideal breeding ground. This most recent outbreak has affected an area the size of Japan and devastated rice and maize fields.

We are going to give them to the chickens to eat, if the chickens don’t die, we’ll eat them.

Anthoni Razafimahatratra, 13-year-old resident

The swarms have multiplied uncontrollably in recent years because of government inaction following a coup. Teams from the UN and Madagascar’s anti-locust agency have tried for several months to contain the swarms by spraying insecticide by airplanes and helicopters. Experts said a recent heat wave allowed the locusts to leave their natural rural environment and head for the city.

Africa Madagascar