A Dominican man has defied the odds by living on just tomato ketchup whilst lost at sea for 24 days.

Elvis Francois, 54, was swept out into the ocean by adverse weather conditions in December as he repaired a sailboat just off a harbour on the island of St Maarten.

The 54-year old said he survived on the vessel by mixing the sauce with water, garlic powder and bouillon cubes, in a video released by the Colombian Navy following his ordeal.

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He collected rainwater in a cloth to help remain hydrated, naval officials told the Associated Press.

"I had no food. There was only a bottle of ketchup that was on the boat, garlic powder, and bouillon cubes. So I mixed it up with some water for me to survive 24 days in the sea," Mr Francois said.

He carved the word "help" into the boat in a bid to attract the attention of passing planes, but this proved to no avail.

And despite seeing other ships during his adventure he failed to catch their attention, despite lighting a fire on his own on one occasion.

The Caribbean was even forced to bail from his vessel at one point to stop it from sinking as it began to gather water.

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Eventually, however, Mr Francois managed to angle a mirror he was carrying to catch the sun's rays and reflect them towards a passing plane, and he was duly spotted.

He said: "The final days, about the 15 of January, I saw a plane. I had a mirror. I was making some signals. They passed over the boat twice, so I realised they saw me. I am grateful for being alive today because of them."

The plane's crew soon alerted the navy, who arranged the rescue.

Recounting his tribulation to the Associated Press, he added: "24 days, no land. Nobody to talk to. Don’t know what to do. Don’t know where you are. It was rough. A certain time I lose hope. I think about my family.

"I don't know how I am alive today, but I am alive. And I am grateful for that."

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