Minister in Madagascar 'swims for 12 hours' after helicopter crashes at sea
"It's not my time to die," exhausted Police Minister Serge Gelle said as he recovered on a stretcher. Two other security officials travelling with him in the helicopter also survived the crash.
The team had been scouting an area in the north-eastern part of the country where a passenger boat had sunk. At least 39 people died in that accident, officials said on Tuesday.
On Twitter President, Andry Rajoelina mourned those who died and paid tribute to Mr Gelle and the other two officers, who arrived in the seaside town of Mahambo separately.
It's unclear why Monday's accident happened, but Mr Gelle, 57, said after the crash he swam from "7:30 last night, until 7:30 this morning," to Mambo.
He said he had no injuries but added that he was feeling cold.
"I would 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 villagers at Mambo.
Police chief Zafisambatra Ravoavy told a news agency that Mr Gelle had used one of the helicopter's seats as a flotation device.
"He has always had great stamina in sport, and he's kept up this rhythm as a minister, just like a 30-year-old... he has nerves of steel," Mr Ravoavy said. Mr Gelle had served in the police for three decades before his August appointment as minister.
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