Ruling party MP blames disaster for fatal consequences amid allegations over govt’s ineffective work

Maia Bitadze, the head of the environment protection committee of the Parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday blamed the “match of several natural events” to the fatal consequences caused by hitting the landslide in the country’s western  Racha municipality, killing six. 

 

In her press comments, the lawmaker claimed professionals had viewed the site and said there were “no threats” of repeated landslides. 

 

The domestic opposition and civil society organisations have accused the authorities of having no helicopter to work during  night hours during disasters after 11 years in office, and responding to the disaster three hours after initial reports. 

 

They also claimed the Government had taken no “genuine steps” for proper responses to disasters over the years. 

 

About 35 people are still missing in the disaster zone, which is a resort area.