Madagascar Minister Swims For 12 Hours After Helicopter Crash

A government minister in Madagascar Serge Gelle has said he swam for 12 hours to safety after his helicopter crashed at sea during a rescue mission.

Speaking to a camera as he recovered on a stretcher, the exhausted Police Minister said it was not his time to die yet.

Gelle, aged 57, said his helicopter came down after it caught a gust of wind, and he swam from “7:30 last night , until 7:30 this morning,” to Mahambo. He said he had no injuries but added that he was feeling cold.

He said, “I would just like you to broadcast this video for my family to see, my colleagues to see, the government members to see. [I am] alive and well,” Mr Gelle told locals at Mahambo.

Another security official travelling with him in the helicopter also survived the crash. The team had been flying to inspect the site of a shipwreck in the north-east of the country on Monday night.

In the meantime, the maritime agency has said the number of people killed in that accident has risen to 64 with at least 20 others still missing,

The vessel was a cargo ship that was not authorised to carry passengers, and was overloaded and water flooded its engine, according to an agency official.

At least 45 survivors have so far been rescued, the agency said.

On Twitter President Andry Rajoelina mourned those who died and also paid tribute to Mr Gelle and the other officer, who arrived in the seaside town of Mahambo separately.

Police chief Zafisambatra Ravoavy told Newsmen that Gelle had used one of the helicopter’s seats as a flotation device, adding that he has always had great stamina in sport, and he’s kept up this rhythm as minister.