Two Georgian citizens injured in Caspian Sea ship accident

One of two Georgian sailors injured in a ship accident in the Caspian Sea has been transferred to Switzerland for specialist medical treatment for a severe head injury.

According to Georgia’s Maritime Transport Agency, a self-propelled barge crashed into a catamaran in the Caspian Sea overnight, which resulted in two Georgia citizens on board the barge becoming injured.

The ship’s mechanic Amiran Abuladze suffered serious head injuries in the accident while barge commander Vitali Kacharava broke his left arm.

The Agency said the company that owned the ship, БЮ Казакстан, took "full responsibility” for the treatment of the injured sailors.

Initially the Georgian sailors were taken to a hospital in Atyrau, Kazakhistan. There neurosurgeons said Abuladze’s condition was "critical” so he was transferred to a Swiss hospital for expert medical care.

Georgia’s Embassy to Kazakhstan has been in contact with the Georgian sailors, said Council Bidzina Gvarchliani. He noted the Embassy had spoken to one of the injured sailors on the phone.

All emergency expenses are being covered by the employer БЮ Казакстан.