A deadly landslide has resulted in the loss of at least 18 lives, with 16 others reported missing as of August 8.
The incident occurred on August 3 in Shovi, in western Georgia’s region of Racha, a mountainous resort area known for its lush forests and natural springs. Emergency rescue and relief operations have been mobilized to aid the victims.
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, provided updates on the situation, stating that bodies had been recovered, while the search for the missing people was ongoing.
He called upon the military to assist in the search efforts. The interior ministry reported that 200 people had been evacuated from the affected area. Rescue teams, supported by two helicopters and skilled rescue dogs, worked to sift through the debris in a race against time but damaged roads, bridges, and other infrastructure hampered rescue attempts.
Merab Gaprindashvili, a geologist from Georgia’s National Environmental Agency, shed light on the likely cause of the landslide, attributing it to a combination of factors, including the melting of two glaciers into the riverbed of a gorge and heavy rainfall.
Georgia has faced natural disasters in the past, and landslides are a recurring concern due to the steep slopes in the region. In 2008, six people lost their lives in a landslide in the southern Black Sea region of Adjara.
August 7 was designated a national day of mourning in Georgia, with flags flying at half-staff.