Flags at half-mast to mourn occupied Gali residents who drowned in Enguri River

Georgian national flags are flying at half-mast today at all government buildings across the country in mourning of four Georgian citizens who died attempting to cross the Enguri River to travel from Russian-occupied Abkhazia region to Tbilisi-controlled territory.

• April 10 declared day of mourning in Georgia for death of occupied Gali residents

Two men and two women drowned in the Enguri River yesterday while trying to cross onto Tbilisi-controlled territory from the Gali district to purchase everyday items and medicines which are either absent or expensive in occupied Abkhazia. 

Photo: Parliament of Georgia/Facebook

Locals told journalists that the four individuals were forced to enter the river after the Russia-backed occupying forces ran after them with dogs.

• US Embassy saddened by death of 4 Georgians while attempting to cross Enguri River from occupied Abkhazia

Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has tweeted:

National flag is half-mast at ???????? MFA & our country's embassies abroad, as today ???????? mourns t/tragic loss of 4 citizens in t/Enguri river, which is another vivid example of devastating results of ???????? #occupation & #violence of human rights. Our thoughts are W families of deceased. pic.twitter.com/UGFnfgB09T

— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) April 10, 2021