17 Dead, 19 Missing: Experts to Present Findings on Shovi Tragedy

Experts will present preliminary findings regarding the events leading up to the tragedy at the Shovi resort. This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Environment Protection of Georgia, Nino Tandilashvili, according to Sputnik Georgia.

It is reported that as of August 3, 17 people died due to the landslide in Shovi. Bridges were destroyed, and the access road to Shovi was damaged. Previously, rescuers had evacuated 210 people. Nineteen individuals are currently missing.

“Six teams of specialists from the National Environment Agency are working on-site, including geologists, hydrologists, glaciologists, and, of course, part of the team is present on the ground. We are working on all the information provided by our experts. We are compiling and analyzing all the information related to the processes occurring in the valley to provide the public with the most reliable information possible during this difficult time,” Tandilashvili stated.

According to her, the conclusion will be based on specific data and will show the complete picture of what happened. “It will be a conclusion based on concrete data and information, but at this stage, I can say that it was a very sudden, instantaneous event,” Tandilashvili added.

The experts need time to provide the public with the most accurate information and to answer all questions comprehensively, she remarked.

About 400 rescuers and 200 military personnel are participating in the rescue operation in Shovi. In addition, helicopters from the border police and special equipment have been deployed. Experts insist that approximately 5 million cubic meters of solid mass have descended upon Shovi. They also mention that currently there is no danger of repeating such a natural disaster in Shovi.

It should be noted that the Shovi resort is located at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level in the Oni region (between the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regions).