Georgian Patriarch expresses sorrow for people killed, missing in landslide in country’s west

Ilia II, the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia’s Orthodox Church on Friday sent his messages of condolence for those killed in a landslide that hit western Georgia’s Shovi resort on Thursday, and shared sympathies for those still missing following the disaster.

Our citizens and we are watching with concern the events that occurred as a result of the natural disaster that happened in Racha [region] yesterday, and naturally, first of all, we are deeply saddened for the dead and the missing people”, the Georgian Patriarch said.

“Of course, believers have been praying since yesterday, but the condition of dozens of people is still unclear. [...] May God bless Georgia and all its inhabitants”, he noted.

The Georgian Patriarch also called on parishioners to pray for those affected in the disaster.

Irakli Karseladze, the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, on Friday said rescuers were searching for about 35 missing people, after 210 were evacuated from the area earlier. 

The Georgian Ministry of Interior has so far confirmed six deaths in the disaster.