After his helicopter fell into the water during a rescue attempt, a government official in Madagascar claims he swam for 12 hours to safety. “It’s not my time to die,” Serge Gelle, the tired Police Minister, murmured as he recovered on a stretcher. The accident also saved the life of a security official who was aboard the chopper with him. On Monday night, the crew was flying to investigate a shipwreck in the country’s northeast. According to the AFP news agency, the number of individuals confirmed deceased in the tragedy has increased to 85 after 21 additional remains were discovered on Wednesday. So far, over 50 people have been rescued, with three more still missing, according to the report. According to Reuters news, the ship was a cargo ship that was not authorized to transport people, was overweight, and water swamped its engine. President Andry Rajoelina expressed his condolences on Twitter and paid respect to Mr. Gelle and the other officer, who arrived in Mahambo separately. According to him, the helicopter’s pilot and another military officer on board have yet to be found.
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Conversing on Tuesday, Mr. Gelle, 57, said his chopper 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 stated he had no wounds but added that he was feeling cold. “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. Police chief Zafisambatra Ravoavy told AFP 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 being appointed minister in August.
