Madagascar’s minister “swims for 12 hours” after the sea crash

The Madagascar minister was one of two survivors who swam to the coast for about 12 hours after the helicopter crashed on the northeast coast of the island.

Police and port officials said Tuesday that the search for two other passengers continued after the crash on Monday, but the cause was not immediately apparent.

Secretary of State Serge Gueret and fellow police officers landed separately in the seaside town of Maambo on Tuesday morning. Apparently, after withdrawing from the aircraft, Port Director Jean Edmond Landria Nantenina said.

In a video shared on social media, 57-year-old Gelle appears to be exhausted and lying on a deckchair, wearing a camouflage uniform.

“It’s not time for me to die yet,” the general said, adding that he was cold but not injured.

read more: More than 12 people killed in Madagascar boat accident

“He has a steel nerve.”

A helicopter was flying him and others on Monday morning to inspect the site of the shipwreck off the northeast coast.

Police chief Zafisambatra Ravoavy said Tuesday that at least 39 people were killed in the disaster, up from previous tolls after rescue workers recovered 18 more bodies.

Ravoavy previously told Agence France-Presse that Gelle used one of the helicopter seats as a buoyancy device.

“He always had great stamina in sports, and he maintained this rhythm as a minister just like 30 years old,” he said.

“He has a steel nerve.”

Gala became minister in August as part of a cabinet reshuffle after working for the police for 30 years.

Source: AFP