Government Administration official: Rescuers currently searching for about 50 missing people in Shovi disaster area

Merab Gamkrelidze, the Deputy Head of Regional Development Department of the Government Administration, late on Thursday said the rescuers, working in the disaster area in Georgia’s western Shovi resort, after a landslide hit the area earlier during the day, were currently searching for about 50 missing people, including children.

• Emergency meeting in Oni municipality discusses ongoing rescue measures over disaster in Georgia’s western resort

Gamkrelidze told Imedi TV that about 150 rescuers and firefighters were being involved in the frantic rescue efforts and noted the operation would continue throughout the night.

The Deputy Head stressed the rescuers were trying to get to the cottages near the disaster area, where the missing people could be stranded.

• Interior Ministry: About 70 individuals “transferred to safety” from Georgia’s western landslide-affected resort

He said about 152 people had been safely evacuated, with 70 individuals transported by the border police helicopters earlier, and noted that others would be transported in the morning “as soon as possible”, adding they were provided with food and water.

The National Agency of Public Registry of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia recently announced that its 35 employees, who were working in Shovi, survived the disaster and were safe.