Georgian Interior, Health ministers pay tribute to memory of Gudauri helicopter crash victims last year

Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, together with Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili, on Saturday paid tribute to the memory of the rescuers and first aid responders who had died in the tragic helicopter crash near Gudauri on July 29, 2022.

Ministers, as well as representatives of the ministries, firefighters and border police pilots, attended the Paraklesis at the chapel, commemorating the souls of the deceased.

Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili and Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri. Photo via Interior Ministry

The Interior Ministry said it had awarded four pilots and two rescuers, who died during the tragedy, with the Special Merit Award.

• Eight people confirmed onboard border police helicopter that crashed during Gudauri rescue operation

The helicopter on a rescue operation in Gudauri lost control and crashed in a ravine on July 29, 2022. The helicopter had been carrying rescuers of the Emergency Management Service and first aid responders called to assist paragliders who had ended up in the ravine earlier.

Photo via Interior Ministry

There were four crew members aboard the helicopter, as well as two rescuers from the emergency management service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and two medics from the emergency coordination and emergency assistance centre of the Ministry of Health.