People on board the helicopter were on their way to inspect the crash site of a passenger boat that had fallen earlier in the week.
Madagascar a helicopter accident took place on the north-east coast on Monday, involving the country’s police minister Serge Gelle, says the news agency AFP.
According to official sources, two people, one of whom is Gelle, are known to have survived the accident. In addition, two people in the crash helicopter are still being searched.
The minister was on his way to inspect the crash site of a passenger boat that sank earlier in the week. At least 39 people had died in the sinking of the boat, according to Malagasy police.
About the accident the surviving Gelle and the police who were with her had to swim ashore for about 12 hours to get to safety.
Authorities said the duo reached the crust on Tuesday morning in the seaside town of Mahambo.
There is a video on social media after the incident in which 57-year-old Gelle is lying tired in a beach chair wearing an outdoor suit. The video has also been shared on Twitter by the Malagasy Ministry of Defense.
“It’s not time for me to die yet,” Gelle says in a video, according to AFP. In addition, he says he is cold but not injured.
Local the Chief of Police Zafisambatra Ravoavyn according to Gelle had used the helicopter seat as a float.
“He’s always had good stamina in sports, and he’s kept up with the same rhythm as a minister, just like in his thirties,” says Ravoavy, according to AFP.
Gelle is also a former police officer. He rose to become Minister of the Government of Madagascar in August this year.
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