Flags at half mast across Georgia as landslide kills 18

Georgian flags are flying at half mast across Georgia as a landslide in the Racha region of Western Georgia has killed 18 last week, with 17, including children, still missing. 

 

A search-and-rescue operation was carried out continuously throughout the night with special lights in the disaster zone, the Interior Ministry said on Monday, with two border helicopters also involved in the operation. 

 

The landslide hit the Shovi resort in the Oni municipality of Western Georgia on Thursday, with the rescue operation launched after three hours from receiving the notification. 

 

The Government officials and the opposition are trading accusations, with the former blaming the “radical wing” of opposition actors of “speculating with the tragedy” and calling for “calm” in respect of victims, while the opposition accusing the authorities of a delayed launch of the rescue operation, ensuring no additional helicopters to work at nigh hours while in office over the past 11 years, and absence of early warning systems in the localities with higher risks of disaster.