Gellé and a policeman managed to reach the coast near Mahambo on Tuesday after a twelve-hour swim. The two could have saved themselves by jumping out of the crashing aircraft into the sea, a spokesman for the local port authorities said. The search is on for two other occupants of the crashed helicopter.
A video of the minister is circulating on social media, lying exhausted on a beach chair. “My time has not yet come,” the minister said, adding that he was cold but was not injured.
Chair as a lifebuoy
Police chief Zafisambatra Ravoavy told AFP news agency that Gellé had used one of the helicopter’s seats to stay afloat.
“As a sportsman he has always had great stamina and as a minister he has always continued to play sports, as if he were a man of 30 years old,” said the police chief. “He has nerves of steel.”