Helicopters transport hundreds off snowy Kazbegi

More than 200 people including tourists from Russia and Armenia have been helicoptered to safety after spending several days trapped in the snowy mountain town of Kazbegi.

The border police of Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said helicopters transported the large group of people – foreigners and locals – to safety after heavy snow and bad weather left them trapped in the small mountainous town in north-eastern Georgia for several days.

The bad weather conditions meant the people were unable to leave the area through other means of transport, experts said.

More than 10 flights carried the passengers to Ananuri in Georgia’s Dusheti region, situated 60km from Tbilisi.

Dusheti Governor Vazha Chokheli said the people would be transported to Tbilisi by minibus and their expenses would be covered by the local municipality.

Mtsketa –Mtianeli Governor Nugzar Kipiani added the transport would take the passengers to one of the Metro stations in Tbilisi.

"The transport is ready. [Included in the group are] Georgians and other nationalities, especially from Armenia and Russia,” Kipiani said.

The first recovery flight to Kazbegi was carried out yesterday where 70 people were uplifted from the snowy village.

Snowy weather have created serious problems in various parts of Georgia, especially in mountainous regions and bordering areas. Travel and road restrictions were partly removed in some areas today.