Heavy hardware involved in rescue operations in “priority areas” following landslide - Infrastructure Minister

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 heavy equipment is used in the “prioritised locations” by the Emergency Management Service, he said, noting the heavy machinery had been operated in the resort area and the riverbed for clearing efforts, and to form riverbeds of the Chanchakhi and Bdgvira rivers over the past two days.

"In the first days of the disaster, the main task was to arrange a temporary bridge and a road connecting to Shovi resort. [...] As a result of 24-hour work, heavy equipment cleared the river bed for the installation of the bridge, and simultaneously worked on the construction of the access road to the disaster area in two directions”, Karseladze said.

The Roads Department and contractor firms began mobilising heavy equipment on the first day following the landslide, he also said, with cranes, bulldozers, loaders and excavators sent to the location.

The official also expressed his “deep sorrow” and sent condolences to the families of those who lost their lives as a result of the natural disaster, following which 17 people are still listed as missing.