The minister was part of a team researching the country's northeastern coast, after a cargo ship illegally carrying 130 passengers sank; As a result, at least 19 people were killed, according to the "BBC".
Officials said: 66 others are missing in the wake of that incident.
"This is not the time to die," Geli told local media. The remains of the helicopter were later found on the ocean floor, and two other security officials who were with him in the helicopter survived.
According to the statement, the Francia left the city of Antanaambi in the early hours before heading south.
It has been registered as a cargo vessel, said Jean-Edmond Randrianantina, director general of the Maritime and River Ports Agency; So it was not authorized to carry passengers, and Antanaambi is not an official port.
“According to the information we were able to gather, the water entered the engine room, the water started to rise and swallowed all the engines,” Randrianantinaina said.
He added, "Then the ship started to sink... We don't know exactly when the water started to rise, but our interventions started at around nine in the morning."
Three boats from the National Navy and the Maritime Agency continue to search for the missing.
