Ex-President Zourabichvili blames Tbilisi City Hall for negligence after deadly building collapse

Former President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, has criticized Tbilisi City Hall following the collapse of a residential building near Station Square that left two people dead and one injured.

In a public statement, Zourabichvili said the tragedy is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader, systemic issue that points to long-standing neglect and a lack of accountability from city authorities.

She emphasized that the deteriorating condition of residential buildings is a widespread problem, particularly in Tbilisi’s historic neighborhoods, where many citizens live in unsafe structures. Zourabichvili accused the city administration of ignoring the risks and failing to implement preventive or strategic measures to address the issue.

“This is not just a personal tragedy for the victims' families—it reflects a systemic failure in the capital,” she said, arguing that citizens are paying the price for official indifference and irresponsibility.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation into the collapse under Article 240 of the Criminal Code, which relates to violations of safety regulations during construction or operation of infrastructure. Rescue operations at the site continue.