Three dead after violent storm in West Georgia

Strong winds ripped branches from trees in Ozurgeti, Guria region of Georgia. Photo by Ministry of Infrastructure.
Agenda.ge, 06 Jun 2014 - 14:48, Tbilisi,Georgia

Three people have died and tens of thousands were left without power when strong winds lashed through Georgia’s western regions.

More than a hundred properties were damaged when strong winds ploughed through Adjara and Guria regions overnight.

Emergency response teams worked through the night to clear debris and restore power to those affected by the storm.

Three women died in the storm, including a 54-year-old from Ozurgeti, Guria, who was struck by a falling tree branch. Officials said the woman was outside in her yard when strong winds ripped a branch off a tree and hit the woman. She died instantly.

In Batumi in Adjara, two women were killed when they fell from the 9th floor when the balcony they were standing on collapsed. Authorities said the women were on the balcony of a residential apartment complex, hanging clothes out to dry, when strong winds caused the balcony to collapse.

Three women were on the balcony when it fell – two died and one survived. The survivor was taken to hospital for emergency treatment.

Locals claimed the apartment complex was in a poor condition and said proper attention and safety had not been maintained. They said if building owners did not pay proper care and attention to the building, other residents would be at risk.

Meanwhile, the strong winds caused significant damage to the roofs of more than 120 buildings and left tens of thousands of households without electricity.

Strong winds ripped branches from trees and debris clogged the Ozurgeti-Kobuleti Rd. Emergency assistance workers spent the night at the site to clear debris. Officials said all sections of the road had been cleaned, repaired and reopened.

Ministry of Infrastructure representatives and the Governor of the region have inspected the area. Experts are due to visit the affected areas and determine the cost of the damage.