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Madagascar has recently faced a chain of unfortunate events on its shores.
It all started on December 20th, when a cargo ship sank off Madagascar’s north-eastern coast. It was illegally carrying 138 passengers, only 45 of them have been rescued from the waters.
On December 22, the number of dead in the incident reached 64 people. The searches are still underway for 24 missing passengers, according to the Maritime and River Port Agency. Three boats from the navy and the maritime agency are continuing the search.
The reason of the incident has not been officially declared do far, but a hole was reportedly discovered in the ship’s hull and water entered the engine room.
The cargo ship Francia left the city of Antanambe in north-eastern Madagaskar and was sailing towards the port of Soanierana Ivongo in southern Madagaskar.
President Andry Rajoelina mourned the victims.
C’est avec une profonde tristesse que j’ai appris le naufrage d’un navire au large d’Antsiraka et son terrible bilan. Mes pensées vont aux victimes et à leurs proches endeuillés.
Je prie solennellement pour le repos de leurs âmes. pic.twitter.com/nZzJsaYMtL
— Andry Rajoelina (@SE_Rajoelina) December 21, 2021
However, this was not the only tragedy that took place in Madagascar in the last days.
One of the helicopters crashed at sea during a rescue mission, with a Madagascar’s government minister on board.
Police Minister Serge Gelle, 57, survived the crash and then had to swim for 12 hours to safety. Two other security officials travelling with him in the helicopter survived the crash too. They arrived in the seaside town of Mahambo separately.
“It’s not my time to die,” Mr Gelle said when he was take from water.
The Minister of Madagascar was not injured, but, obviously, he was frozen.
“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 said.
♦️Le GDI Serge GELLE, un des passagers de l’hélicoptère accidenté hier a été retrouvé sain et sauf ce matin du côté de Mahambo.
☑️ Les sapeurs sauveteurs de la #4°UPC ont également retrouvé le carcasse de l’hélicoptère au fond de la mer. pic.twitter.com/sP2abwTMwB— Ministère de la Défense Nationale Madagascar (@MDN_Madagascar) December 21, 2021