Four Belarusian citizens were killed and 20 people were injured in a minibus crash near the mountain resort of Gomismta in western Georgia. Children are among those injured, Georgian media report.
The accident occurred on the evening of Aug. 12 on the road from Gomismta. According to TV Pirveli, a minibus carrying tourists veered off the road and plunged into a ravine. Citing its correspondent at the scene, the channel reported that four Belarusian citizens were killed. Another 20 people, including children, were injured.
The injured were taken to hospitals in Ozurgeti and Chokhatauri. Ambulance crews, rescuers and patrol police officers were deployed at the scene. The rescue operation continued late into the evening.
According to TV Pirveli, the minibus fell into the ravine about two hours before the channel published its report at 23:33 local time. The driver was a Georgian citizen. TV Pirveli reported that his condition was serious.
At the same time, Interpressnews provided somewhat different information about the driver’s condition: according to the agency, his life was not in danger. The agency also reported, citing local residents, that the driver lost control on a bend, after which the minibus plunged into the ravine. Two children were in the vehicle and survived. There were no children among the four people killed.
According to Interpressnews, all the passengers in the minibus were tourists from Belarus, while the driver was a Georgian citizen. Four Belarusians died at the scene.
The Georgian Interior Ministry has launched an investigation under Article 276 of the Criminal Code, which provides for liability for violating traffic or vehicle operation safety rules resulting in a person’s death.
Gomismta is a high-altitude resort in the Guria region of western Georgia, located in the Ozurgeti municipality.
