Madagascar minister swims 12 hours to shore following helicopter crash

Madagascar’s Secretary of State Police Serge Gelle on Tuesday swam 12 hours to shore following a helicopter crash near the island’s Northeastern Coast.

Gelle was one of two survivors who separately swam to the seaside town of Mahambo following the incident.

Authorities are however still looking for two more passengers who were also on board the helicopter.

According to Madagascan authorities, the survivors ejected themselves from the helicopter before it crashed.

The plane was en route to the island’s Northeastern Coast to inspect a ship that capsized on Monday morning killing 21 people and leaving a further 60 yet to be accounted for.

As he relaxed after getting to shore, 57-year-old Gelle stated that it was still not his time to leave this world.  

"My time to die hasn't come yet. I am cold but not injured," Gelle told AFP.