17 January declared day of mourning in Georgia

Flags on all government buildings across Georgia and diplomatic missions abroad are flying at half staff today as 17 January has been declared a day of mourning in recognition of those who died in a powerful explosion in a residential building last night in Tbilisi’s Didi Digomi district. 

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze announced the government is mourning the tragedy alongside its citizens.

Four people died last night in the blast, amongst them is a four-year-old child. 

The blast took place on the sixth floor of a newly-built nine-storey residential building. 

The flag on the building of the State Security Service of Georgia is also flying at half staff today. Photo: State Security Service of Georgia.

Eight others – six minors and two adults – were injured in the explosion.

Two patients who were transferred to Ghudushauri Clinic after the explosion in Didi Dighomi yesterday have already been discharged. have been discharged, having sustained only minor injuries. 

Meanwhile, the medical director at Iashvili Clinic Ivane Chkhaidze said that only one patient remains at the clinic in the critical care department – he said that the patient's condition is stable. 

All who have been affected by the blast have been provided with food and shelter, Tbilisi City Hall reports. So far, 27 people have been given temporary accommodations. 

The flag on the building of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia is also flying at half staff today. Photo: Ministry of Defence.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has launched an investigation into the explosion. 

The ministry says that it is looking into a violation of safety regulations during the installation, design and construction or operation of electric, thermal energy, gas or oil product facilities resulting in the death of two or more persons.