Media reports on “technical fault” in Gudauri helicopter crash “fake” - Georgian Interior Ministry
The helicopter crash in Gudauri in Georgia’s north killed eight individuals on Friday, as they were responding to assist paragliders who had ended up in a ravine earlier. Photo: Government of Georgia press office.
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The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia on Monday dismissed allegations by several opposition-minded TV channels that a technical fault had caused the deadly helicopter crash in Gudauri in the country’s north that claimed eight lives on Friday.
Responding to the “unfounded allegations” over “outdated fleet with technical errors”, the Ministry said that its Border Police helicopter was “fully in compliance with mandatory standards, was maintained and checked before every take-off”.
First of all, we once again express our deep sorrow for the tragedy that happened near Gudauri on July 29 and offer our condolences to the families of the deceased, colleagues, friends and the whole of Georgia. It is unfortunate that we have to publish this statement in light of the tragedy, but it is better for the general public to know the verified and accurate information”, said the statement.
In connection with the day of mourning state flags are lowered on all administrative buildings of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.https://t.co/mrLQhpjXuJ
— MIA of Georgia (@MIAofGeorgia) July 30, 2022
Speaking about the killed crew, the Ministry suggested that Colonel Zaza Loria, Lieutenant Colonel Levan Chokheli, Major Dimitri Kaadze and Lieutenant Andro Kujoshvili were “top-level professionals”.
The flight was conducted by Colonel Zaza Loria, the deputy head of the Main Department of Special Purpose Aviation of the Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the field of flight training, who has been a pilot since 1992 and has commanded a helicopter squadron for years, saving many lives”, said the Ministry.
In its remarks to mandatory procedures, the Ministry stated the helicopter was “completely checked” ahead of each take-off, and that the crew was “never allowed” for a flight if any issue was detected.
Between 2019 and 2022 the Air Park of the Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was fully updated, which means that all helicopters were maintained and updated. In March 2022, the Border Police, in full compliance with the rules of Georgian legislation, per the Government's decree, in accordance with the international rules of aviation safety and the manual of aviation technical services, purchased two sets of tail rotor blades for two Mi-8 MTV - 1 helicopters, replacing previous ones”, said the statement.
Pilots, rescuers crashed near Gudauri will be buried with full military honours. Photo: Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affiars press office.
Responding to media reports over two Super Puma helicopters of the Border Police which were purchased in 2011 under the United National Movement Government, the Ministry stated that the helicopters came “without the necessary equipment for rescue operations”, with one of them, “having luxurious interior and design, was used only for the transportation of high-ranking individuals”.
Providing additional details, the Ministry said “it was disinformation” that one Super Puma helicopter was “stuck” in the Kakheti region of eastern Georgia, stating that it was parked at the ministry airfield
[Unlike Super Pumas] Mi-8 helicopters are used in search and rescue operations, having special equipment for this”, said the Ministry.
The helicopter had been carrying rescuers of the Emergency Management Service and first aid responders called to assist paragliders who had ended up in the ravine earlier.
There were four crew members onboard the helicopter, as well as two rescuers from the Emergency Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and two medics from the Emergency Coordination and Emergency Assistance Centre.
Police are looking into the incident.
Georgian national flags are flying at half-mast on all Government buildings across the country today in mourning of eight people who were onboard the border police helicopter that crashed in the winter resort town of Gudauri in the north on Friday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday expressed “deep sorrow” over the deaths of the crew, rescuers and first aid responders onboard the border police helicopter that crashed in the winter resort town of Gudauri in the north on Friday, and declared July 30 a day of mourning across the country.
Eight people have been confirmed to have been onboard the border police helicopter that crashed in the winter resort town of Gudauri in the north of Georgia on Friday, the Georgian Interior Ministry has said.
A Georgian border police helicopter on a rescue operation in the winter resort town of Gudauri in the north of the country lost control and crashed in a ravine on Friday, th Georgian Interior Ministry said.
The pilots and rescuers onboard the border police helicopter that crashed near the winter resort town of Gudauri in Georgia’s north on Friday will be buried with full military honours, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said on Monday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday said the families of the rescuers and first aid responders who died in the helicopter crash near Gudauri on Friday would receive 100,000 GEL ($35,087) each.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Tuesday awarded the crew, rescuers and first responders who died in the border police helicopter crash near the winter resort town of Gudauri in Georgia’s north on Friday with the state Medal for Civic Dedication.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday hailed the “heroism” of the rescuers and first responders who died in the border police helicopter crash near Gudauri on Friday by highlighting their sacrifice as an example of “heroism”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, President Salome Zourabichvili, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze and Government ministers on Tuesday paid tributes to the eight victims in the rescue helicopter crash in Gudauri in the country’s north on Friday, with the public funeral hosted at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the capital.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Monday the Government had plans to sell one of the two “luxurious” helicopters bought by the previous United National Movement authorities in 2011 and buy three helicopters “for rescue and other operations” using the money.
The Georgian interior ministry on Friday said that along with the 20 percent increase in salaries of its personnel, additional budget funding would also allow the state body to purchase three helicopters for search and rescue operations, 30 fire engines and renovate its infrastructure.