Defence Forces to join search, rescue operations in disaster zone in Georgia’s west following landslide - PM
In other comments, Garibashvili called circumstances in the affected zone “difficult” following his visit, adding the work to find survivors would continue during the weekend. Photo: Government Administration
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday said units from the Georgian Defence Forces would join the ongoing search and rescue operations in the western municipality of Oni to find remaining survivors after a landslide killed at least 11 in the Shovi resort on Thursday.
The head of the Government was briefed on search and rescue efforts in the disaster zone, and told local media troops with specialised equipment would join the efforts.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Friday said the National Guard and a company-sized unit of the Third Brigade of the GDF would start to mobilise “in a few hours” with appropriate equipment to respond to the call-up.
In other comments, Garibashvili called circumstances in the affected zone “difficult” following his visit, adding the work to find survivors would continue during the weekend.
He also noted individuals rescued by professionals since the start of the operations, and added the situation on the ground was “absolutely under control”. The PM added there was “no need” in requesting assistance from neighbouring countries for the rescue efforts.
He also responded to criticism from “loser politicians and the opposition”, and criticised the media for “immoral” commentary involving “lies” on the Government having failed to purchase new helicopters usable for rescue operations over the recent years, and questioning a lack of nighttime lighting equipment on helicopters that were being used for the operation.
The Georgian Interior Ministry on Friday said 400 rescuers and two helicopters were involved in the search and rescue operation for 35 missing individuals, after 210 were evacuated from the disaster zone late on Thursday.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Friday called on the public to “unite and overcome the tragedy together”, following a landslide that hit western Georgia’s Shovi resort on Thursday and killed at least 11 people.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday said his Government had decided to declare Monday as a day of mourning following a landslide that hit western Georgia’s Shovi resort, killing at least seven people on Thursday.
Teams of Georgia’s Red Cross Society on Friday arrived in the Oni municipality of western Georgia to ensure support for rescuers and communities affected by the landslide that hit the Shovi resort on Thursday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday met staff of rescue services working in the western municipality of Oni to find remaining survivors after a landslide killed six in the Shovi resort on Thursday.
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.
The Georgian Interior Ministry on Friday said 400 rescuers and two helicopters were involved in the search and rescue operation for about 35 missing individuals after a landslide hit the Oni municipality in the Racha region in the country’s west on Thursday.
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.
The ongoing rescue measures in the disaster area in the country’s western Oni municipality, after a landslide hit the area earlier during the day, were discussed at the emergency meeting in the Oni municipality City Hall, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday.
The Georgian Interior Ministry on Thursday said about 70 individuals had been transferred to a safe venue from the disaster area as a result of the ongoing rescue operations in the country’s western Oni municipality, after a landslide hit the area earlier during the day.
The Interior Ministry said about 40 individuals have been evacuated from the disaster zone in Georgia’s western Shovi resort, after a landslide hit the area earlier during the day.
Diplomats accredited in Georgia on Friday sent their condolences to families of the victims killed in a landslide that hit western Georgia’s Shovi resort on Thursday.
Georgian Defence Forces on Friday said its units had departed to join the ongoing search and rescue operations in the western municipality of Oni to find remaining survivors after a landslide killed at least 11 in the Shovi resort on Thursday.
Georgian Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze on Saturday said the disaster relief works in the western municipality of Oni, after a landslide killed at least 11 in the Shovi resort on Thursday “continued intensively”, including clearing and restoration works.
Rescuers working in a landslide-hit area in Georgia’s west on Friday recovered a body of a minor in the village of Jumati of Ozurgeti municipality.
Two bodies have been recovered and about 50 individuals, including children, evacuated after landslides and flood hit the Guria and Adjara regions in Georgia's west on Thursday and early on Friday, the Georgian Interior Ministry confirmed on Friday.
Rescuers have recovered the body of the 32nd victim of the Shovi resort landslide in Georgia’s west, with one person still missing, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said on Sunday.
At least 200 individuals have been evacuated from landslide-hit areas of the Guria region in Georgia’s west following heavy rains, flood and landslides last week that killed three, local authorities said on Monday.