PM and President travel to landslide-hit area at Dariali Gorge

The Prime Minister and President of Georgia are on their way to Dariali Gorge to offer their support following a landslide this morning near Gveleti village, in northern Georgia near the Russian border.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili instructed an emergency response following the landslide, which occurred when a section of mountainside collapsed.

Information about dead and missing people has not yet been confirmed.

Spokesperson Levan Ghirsiashvili from the Government’s Crisis Management Council said the PM had ordered an emergency headquarters to be established.

At a special press conference today, Ghirsiashvili said all relevant Governmental structures, including rescue and emergency services, were mobilized at the region.

"There is no reason for horror,” he noted.

Locals said the huge amount of debris caused a dam in Tergi river, in Stephantsminda area, near the ongoing construction works of the Dariali Hydro Power Plant (HPP).

Locals said three men had died in this morning’s accident. It is believed the men are Turkish citizens and were employed as construction workers at the HPP.

Rescue officers with the Ministry of Internal Affairs say there was no fear the water had risen to unsafe levels.

The mudslides caused major damage to the North-South gas pipeline that transports natural gas from Russia to Armenia thorough Georgia. As a result, gas has been temporarily stopped from travelling along this route.

Meanwhile fresh mudslides have blocked the Georgian Military Road, a major route through the Caucasus from Georgia to Russia.

It is believed some people are missing inside the tunnel. Rescuers are trying to find survivors. Trolleys are also under the rubble.

Ministers of Regional Development and Infrastructure, Energy and Internal Affairs will also join Prime Minister Garibashvili at the site this afternoon.