Tbilisi mayor vows tough punishment for those responsible for metro ceiling collapse

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has hosted a special briefing today during which he vowed tough punishment for all those responsible for the ceiling collapse in the Varketili Metro Station on the outskirts of Tbilisi.

We will spare no effort to clarify the reasons of the incident in a timely manner,” Kaladze said.

None of the companies’ irresponsible actions will be tolerated,” Kaladze added.

He stated that he will wait for the outcomes of the investigation and appealed to the public to refrain from making statements before that time. 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is investigating an alleged violation  of safety norms in the construction process regarding the metro incident.

Kaladze said that 14 people were injured during the collapse and the expenses of their treatment will be fully covered by the mayor’s office.

Doctors say that some of the people received severe injuries and they need to be operated on.

• Kvarelremsheni LTD conducted rehabilitation-renovation works in Varketili and Akhmeteli metro stations last year.
• The works in the Varketili metro were completed in August, 2017 and the station opened one month later.
• The Tbilisi Mayor’s Office allocated 347,852 GEL for the works in the Varketili metro.
• If a party is found guilty of violating safety norms in the construction process, they will face a high fine or imprisonment of up to two years.