Eight die, dozens missing after major Tbilisi flood

At least eight people have been killed and dozens remain missing following yesterday’s major flooding in Tbilisi.

Initial reports claimed at least 40 families from the Vake neighbourhood were left homeless after the swollen Vere River swept away houses and flooded other buildings.

"Nothing like this has ever happened in Tbilisi before,” said Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili who inspected the affected areas all night.

The heavy rain started before midnight and it completely flooded a new highway, linking Vake-Saburtalo road to Heroes Square.

Tbilisi Zoo territory looked like this last night. Six lions, six tigers, seven bears, 13 wolves and other wild animals escaped. Photo by I. Modebadze.

Tbilisi Zoo which was located near Heroes Square was completely destroyed. Dozens of wild animals escaped from their cages and were now roaming central Tbilisi streets.

The Zoo Administration said six lions, six tigers, seven bears and 13 wolves had escaped from the Zoo but some of them have since been captured or killed. 

Locals and zoo workers try to get the escaped hippopotamus to a safer place. Photo by infotime.ge 

It is believed the flooding was caused by a major landslide in two locations near Tskneti and Betania, not far from Tbilisi. The landslide caused the Vera River to dam and later burst, causing a torrent of water to surge towards capital Tbilisi. "The State Security and Crisis Management Council are working around the clock” said the Prime Minister. He called on people to stay at home on Sunday as several central roads would remain blocked during the day.

The extent of the damage was not known yet but officials said "it seemed to be very bad”.