Madagascar maritime agency reported that a boat accident off the coast of the country’s northeastern region killed at least 19 people.

Searches were underway to locate 66 passengers.

Mamy Randrianavony, director of operations at sea at the Maritime and River Port Agency (APMF) on Tuesday said the vessel, a cargo ship that was not authorised to transport people, was overloaded and water flooded the engine.

Mr Randrianavony said there were 130 passengers on the ship, travelling from Antanambe to Soanierana Ivongo, and 45 were found alive.

“Searches are underway to locate the other passengers. Three boats have been sent to search,” Mr Randrianavony said.

Meanwhile, a search helicopter carrying General Serge Gellé, who heads the national Gendarmerie, crashed at sea late on Monday.

Mr Gellé was found alive on Tuesday morning after swimming for nearly 12 hours, he said in a video posted to social media.

A mechanic on board the helicopter was also found, but two passengers remain unaccounted for.

Mr Gellé was accompanying Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and the Minister of National Defence, General Léon Richard Rakotonirina, who had travelled to the region to oversee the search operations in a separate helicopter. 

(NAN)