Eighteenth body recovered in disaster zone in Georgia’s west following landslide

Temur Mgebrishvili, the Head of the Emergency Management Service on Sunday said the rescuers had recovered the body of the 18th victim of the disaster in the western municipality of Oni, after a landslide hit Shovi resort on Thursday.

The search and rescue operations have been carried out continuously throughout the night with special lights in the disaster zone, the Interior Ministry said.

The rescuers have been working in the disaster-affected area for the fourth day looking for missing people, including children.

One Ukrainian and one Russian citizen are among the deceased, which has been confirmed by Ukrainian BBC and later by the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine. Death of the Russian citizen was confirmed by Russian Interests Section at the Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia.

Photo via Interior Ministry

A total of 210 individuals were evacuated from the disaster zone to a safe place.

A mobile headquarters of the Emergency Management Service has been organised near the disaster-affected area, with firefighters, rescuers, police units, drones, special equipment and a border police helicopter continuously searching for the missing people.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili earlier today signed a decree declaring Monday as a day of mourning to honour the victims of the massive landslide.