Security official dies in overnight blast in Zugdidi

UPDATED: 12:17pm: A man has died after a water heater tank burst in the building of the State Security Service of Abkhazia Autonomous Republic in city of Zugdidi, in western Georgia last night, investigators says.

Georgia’s Deputy Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, who travelled to Zugdidi after last night’s accident, said a crack in the water tank caused a portion of the building to fall.

"It was an accident,” Gomelauri said, clearing up previous theories that the incident was an explosion as it happened 12 kilometres from the administrative border with breakaway Abkhazia.

The 32-year old who was stuck under the ruins has been named as Head of the one of departments of State Security Service Zviad Lagvilava. He was in his working room when the building was severely damaged around 2am.

Gomelauri said the water tank burst as too much vapour had accumulated inside. He expressed his deep condolences to the victim’s family.

EARLIER: 05:30am: A man has died after an explosion in the building of the State Security Service of Abkhazia Autonomous Republic in city of Zugdidi, in western Georgia, 12 kilometres from the administrative border with Abkhazia.

As the Georgian radio "The voice of Abkhazia” reported, the victim was Head of the State Security Service Special Force Zviad Lagvilava. The 32-year-old was in his working room when the building was severely damaged after loud explosion around 2am.

The training base of the State Security Special Force of Abkhazia is situated about 200 metres from the site of explosion, claimed the radio news service.

Police, firemen and investigators are working at the site. The cause of the blast has not yet been determined.