Six years since deadly Tbilisi flood: officials pay tribute to victims, heroes

Six years have passed since the Georgian capital of Tbilisi was hit by a deadly flash flood, which turned out to be the city’s worst human and infrastructural disaster in decades, claiming 21 lives, with the remains of two still missing.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze paid a tribute to the victims of the deadly flood and praised the young heroes who have saved lives.

All of us remember this day very well, This is a huge tragedy for our country, for our citizens”, PM Garibashvili said. 

He also added that this tragedy has united the entire Georgia and became a symbol of  ‘exemplary solidarity’.  

• Mziuri Park damaged by 2015 flood reopened

Mayor Kaladze also noted that the days following the tragic developments young volunteers have shown huge ‘power’ and solidarity. 

More than 1,000 people from up to 200 families lost their homes or businesses in the natural disaster;  84 houses were fully destroyed while 158 others were seriously damaged. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Tbilisi Zoo lost almost half of its animal population when the flood waters swamped the animal park in the late hours of June 13.

• The city before and after

On a wider scale, the World Bank evaluation estimated the flood caused more than 100 million GEL in infrastructure damage.

Hundreds of Georgians took part in the after-flood activities. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

More than 26 million GEL was donated by local and foreign citizens, private companies and foreign countries to charity funds to assist the flood victims.

• Meet the heroes of June 13

This also included 10.25 million GEL from the Cartu Foundation - a charity fund established by Georgian tycoon and former ruling party chairperson Bidzina Ivanishvili.