Four killed in mining accident in Georgia

Four miners have been killed after a rope broke and a coal lift with four men inside fell from a height of 350 metres in the Mindeli coal mine in the town of Tkibuli in the west of Georgia.

The bodies of the miners were only retrieved at 8.30 this morning after intense search activities that lasted the entire night.

Economy Minister Giorgi Gakharia, Infrastructure Minister Zurab Alavidze, experts from the labour Ministry and rescue officers arrived in Tkibuli immediately after the accident was reported.

Georgian Industrial Group, the company that owns the Tkibuli mine, released a statement explaining that planned maintenance was taking place, during which a rope of the coal lift was meant to be changed. The accident took place during the repair work.

Late last evening Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who is on an official visit to the United States, released a statement saying he stands with the families of the miners and pledged that the reason for the accident will be investigated.

The Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into the accident under Article 240 of the Georgian Criminal Code envisaging a "breach of safety regulations during mining, construction or other works that result in death”.

Economy Minister Gakharia who stayed in Tkibuli all night said that "a transparent investigation will be held and all possible offenders will be revealed”.

"The families of those killed will receive all kind of compensation both from the company as well as local government”, he said.

President Giorgi Margvelashvili released a statement, offering condolences to the families affected.

"It is hard to find words to express the sorrow I feel because of the tragedy that took place in Tkibuli. During these difficult moments, I stand by the families and friends of those working at the mince”, Margvelashvili said.

He stressed that the current regulations of workplace safety and the quality of enforcing the labour code needs to be improved and efforts are needed from society, business and the government to this end.