UPDATED: Georgian government decides to close deadly Mindeli mine

Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze has announced the closure of Mindeli coal mine where four died and six injured as a result of a methane explosion earlier this morning.

"I express my wholehearted condolences to the families of the victims in this difficult moment. The state can not allow the vulnerability of health and life of its citizens. Accordingly, we have taken the decision to close the Mindeli mine,” PM Bakhtadze said, adding that the case is being investigated and everyone responsible will be held accountable. 

The mine will be closed until the investigation is over. 

The employees of the mine will be given their monthly salary during the time the mine will be closed.

Earlier: 12:01

Four miners have died and six have received heavy injuries as a result of a methane explosion in Mindeli coal mine in Tkibuli this morning.

The MIA suggested the methane explosion caused a deformation in the walls inside the mine resulting in a ceiling collapse.

Three of six injured are currently being transported to Tbilisi since they need to be treated in a profiled clinic, according to the Ministry of Health and Labor.

"Mindeli mine has to be closed until modern standards of labor safety have been guaranteed,” one of the leaders of the parliamentary majority, Archil Talakvadze, said today.

The deputy ministers of Economy Giorgi Cherkezishvili and Genadi Arveladze have headed to Tkibuli with an emergency group and the head of the Technical and Construction Supervision Agency.

In April this year, another six people died and three were injured in Mindeli mine which is owned by Saknakhshiri, a daughter company of Georgian Industrial Group (GIG).