Patriarch expresses condolences over death of minor in Vake Park

Georgian Patriarch Ilia II has expressed condolences over the recent death of a 13-year-old minor in the newly renovated Tbilisi Vake Park, after being electrocuted in a fountain with other two minors. 

The Patriarch addressed the patents of the minor, who died on Thursday, and wished them to stand strong, saying that the minor’s new, heavenly life has begun. 

The condition of a 13-year-old boy in the incident remains critical, while the third one feels satisfactory, doctors said. 

The Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze said late on Thursday that investigation was in progress, with several individuals from the contractor Green Service Plus and Tbilisi City Hall already interviewed. 

The official, along with the prime minister and Tbilisi mayor had pledged “strictest punishment of offenders”. 

A rally was held in front of parliament the same day, demanding the resignation of Mayor Kakha Kaladze, calling on him to “take responsibility”. 

The mayor said that he was “devastated” by the incident, and was ready to take responsibility “if I have any guilt”. 

The renovated park was opened to the public on Thursday, with Kaladze saying that the work had been checked by the relevant agencies of his body.