A worker trapped by collapsed coal mass in Georgia's west found dead
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One of two workers, trapped in a collapse of a coal mass in the western Georgian town of Tkibuli, was found dead late yesterday.
Earlier that day the Emergency Management Service rescued another worker in the disintegrated "land mass" and transport him to safety.
Vitali Turdzeladze, 65, is going under treatment at an intensive care unit of the Kutaisi referral hospital in Imereti. Doctors say he is on artificial ventilation.
The mass reportedly collapsed as the two workers were reinforcing structures of the private, open-pit mining site near the city, located about 35 km north-east of Kutaisi.
Reporting on the incident that took place in the afternoon, Georgian news agencies said two individuals were suspected to be under the collapsed pile.
Interpressnews agency cited locals as saying they could hear calls for help from one of the workers, from under the mass.
Two workers have been reportedly trapped in a collapse of a coal mass in the industrial city of Tkibuli in Georgia's west on Saturday.
Nine miners in Georgia’s western Tkibuli municipality are on strike in a mine refusing to come out, protesting against receiving the halved salaries in January. Tamaz Dolaberidze of the Georgian Trade Unions Confederation said that due to less coal mining activity than planned in January, the miners were paid less by Saknakhshiri coal mining company.
About 200 miners are on strike in the western Tkibuli municipality of Georgia, demanding their salaries be increased by 300 GEL (about $95.09/€80.09). In addition, they demand the Tkibuli municipality receive highland status in order for its inhabitants to receive benefits provided by the Mountain Law.
An agreement has been reached between Saknakhshiri GIG and Tkibuli miners, who will return to work tomorrow, said trade union representative Gaga Isakadze.
One miner died and eight more were injured in a coal mine explosion in western Georgia's Tkibuli town late at night on January 30.
The Georgian National Agency of Mineral Resources has rejected claims by the United National Movement political party over an auction announced for the license of mineral exploration in southern Georgian municipalities of Bolnisi and Marneuli as an “attempt to score political points and a lie”.