PM calls Shovi landslide “terrible tragedy”, extends condolences to families of victims
Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili said the disaster had “shaken the whole of the country”. Photo: Government press office
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday called the landslide in the Shovi resort of Racha region in western Georgia that claimed at least 18 lives last week a “terrible tragedy” and extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
Speaking at the Government meeting, the PM stressed the tragedy had “shaken the whole of the country”, stressing his office had taken actions to respond to the disaster “from the very first minutes” after being notified of the developments.
He said 400 rescuers had been engaged in the operation and 210 citizens evacuated from the disaster zone since Thursday, and called employees of the Emergency Management Service and servicemembers of the Georgian Defence Forces who were involved in the efforts “heroes”.
The head of the Government also pointed to the presence of medical workers at the site and more than 100 pieces of special hardware being used, adding the Infrastructure Minister was coordinating the efforts while “all ministers” were engaged in addressing the consequences of the disaster.
Flags on state institutions across Georgia were on Monday lowered to half-mast in mourning of the victims of the landslide that had hit western Georgia’s Shovi resort on Thursday, killing at least 18.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Sunday said several children were among the victims of the disaster in the western municipality of Oni, after a landslide killed at least 18 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.
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.
Irakli Beraia, the Chair of the Defence and Security Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday accused the domestic opposition of spreading “disinformation” over the Government's plans to purchase three new rescue helicopters from a French manufacturer following the landslide that killed at least 18 in western Georgia on Thursday.
Georgian Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze on Monday said more than 100 pieces of special equipment, including 86 units of heavy hardware, was being mobilised in eight “priority areas” for the search and clearing operations in the disaster-affected zone in the western municipality of Oni, after a landslide killed at least 18 in the Shovi resort on Thursday.
The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday highlighted the “incredible” dedication of first responders involved in rescue operations in the disaster zone of a landslide that hit western Georgia’s Shovi resort on Thursday and killed at least 19.
Rescuers have recovered the body of the 29th victim of the Shovi resort landslide in Georgia’s west, with four people still missing, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said on Tuesday.
Givi Mikanadze, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said conclusions made “remotely” by the opposition United National Movement party about the landslide that hit the Shovi resort in Georgia’s west and killed at least 29 people showed the party’s “real goals and intentions”.