UPDATED: 14 injured as ceiling caves in at Varketili metro station in Tbilisi

Updated: 12:59

Fourteen people have been injured as the ceiling caved in at one of the last metro station stops in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi earlier this morning.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said the treatment of those injured will be covered by the state, while the company responsible for the repair works will be severely punished.

The Varketili metro station was rehabilitated last year.

Special attention will be paid to the construction works, [and] their quality… I will be very strict”, Kaladze said, stressing that all the other works this company has carried out will also be inspected.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze comments on today's accident to journalists. Photo by 1TV.ge

Healthcare Minister Davit Sergeenko visited those injured this morning, including a police officer who was injured while attempting to save others.

Tbilisi Transport Company said the metro will temporarily move between Akhmeteli Theatre to 300 Aragveli.

Earlier: 11:35

Several people have been injured as the ceiling caved in at one of the last metro station stops in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi this morning.

The Emergency Management Service said the ceiling dropped on seven passengers standing on the platform.

Those injured have been taken to hospital. Photo by 1TV.ge

The metro station has been temporarily closed for safety reasons. Emergency, fire brigade and police are mobilized at the entrance of the station.