[bots]

A government minister in Madagascar has said he swam for 12 hours to safety after his helicopter crashed at sea during a rescue mission.

"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 also paid tribute to Mr Gelle and the other two officers, who arrived in the seaside town of Mahambo separately.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59749005

[Cherie]

that is some swim, the will to live was real

[Alf]

Get him on the Madagascar Olympic swimming team.