The Minister of Internal Affairs- Vakhtang Gomelauri, got familiarized with the rescue and investigative activities on the ground of the collapsed residential building in Batumi. At this stage, rescuers, patrol and criminal police officers, as well as ambulance crews are mobilized at the site of the collapse.
"One entrance of the multi-block residential building has collapsed. We’ve already launched the investigation to determine what caused the incident. About five floors have collapsed. According to our information, approximately 10-15 people are currently trapped under the rubbles of the building. Two people contacted us, they are alive and able to communicate through mobile phones.
We are doing our best, hundreds of rescuers are involved in the rescue operation. It’s difficult to go up for hundreds of rescuers at the same time, they are working in shifts with special technic.
Units of the Ministry are mobilized as well as the representatives of the local government and municipal services. We do our best to remove the injured people from the ruins as soon as possible, however the rescue operation needs to be conducted carefully, in a slow pace, so that not to aggravate the existing situation.
"Our rescuers perform their duties at a highest level of professionalism to save people who are alive under the rubbles," – stated Vakhtang Gomelauri.
Today, approximately at 12:00, the entrance of the multi-block residential building located at 26 May Street, N13 in Batumi, collapsed. A small child was safely rescued from one of the damaged cars, which was caught in debris. Herewith, fire-rescuers evacuated citizens from the undamaged part of the building with the help of special equipment and taken to a safer place.
Additional forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are mobilized in Batumi from different regions of the country. With the help of live force and special equipment, intensive search-and-rescue operation as well as clear-up activities are underway.
The incident is being investigated under Article 240 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which stipulates breach of safety regulations during the construction of other works.
