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Georgia

Death Toll Rises In Georgia Floods

A runaway hippopotamus walks down a flooded street in Tbilisi.
1/8 A runaway hippopotamus walks down a flooded street in Tbilisi.
Search and rescue operations were continuing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on June 15, a day after deadly floods swept through the city. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead and 10 others remain missing. The Tbilisi zoo was inundated by floodwater, killing some animals and allowing others to escape and roam the streets.
Men push a hippopotamus out of a flooded street. Zookeepers shot one hippo with a tranquilizer dart in order to capture it.
2/8 Men push a hippopotamus out of a flooded street. Zookeepers shot one hippo with a tranquilizer dart in order to capture it.
Search and rescue operations were continuing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on June 15, a day after deadly floods swept through the city. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead and 10 others remain missing. The Tbilisi zoo was inundated by floodwater, killing some animals and allowing others to escape and roam the streets.
Debris covers a road where the Vere river burst its banks.
3/8 Debris covers a road where the Vere river burst its banks.
Search and rescue operations were continuing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on June 15, a day after deadly floods swept through the city. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead and 10 others remain missing. The Tbilisi zoo was inundated by floodwater, killing some animals and allowing others to escape and roam the streets.
A soaking wet bear tries to escape from a flooded area of the Tbilisi zoo on June 14.
4/8 A soaking wet bear tries to escape from a flooded area of the Tbilisi zoo on June 14.
Search and rescue operations were continuing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on June 15, a day after deadly floods swept through the city. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead and 10 others remain missing. The Tbilisi zoo was inundated by floodwater, killing some animals and allowing others to escape and roam the streets.
Animal footprints are seen in the mud on the grounds of the zoo.
5/8 Animal footprints are seen in the mud on the grounds of the zoo.
Search and rescue operations were continuing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on June 15, a day after deadly floods swept through the city. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead and 10 others remain missing. The Tbilisi zoo was inundated by floodwater, killing some animals and allowing others to escape and roam the streets.
The body of a bear lies next to destroyed cars at the Tbilisi zoo.
6/8 The body of a bear lies next to destroyed cars at the Tbilisi zoo.
Search and rescue operations were continuing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on June 15, a day after deadly floods swept through the city. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead and 10 others remain missing. The Tbilisi zoo was inundated by floodwater, killing some animals and allowing others to escape and roam the streets.
Another zoo animal that did not survive the flood
7/8 Another zoo animal that did not survive the flood
Search and rescue operations were continuing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on June 15, a day after deadly floods swept through the city. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead and 10 others remain missing. The Tbilisi zoo was inundated by floodwater, killing some animals and allowing others to escape and roam the streets.
A municipal worker sits near the body of a lion.
8/8 A municipal worker sits near the body of a lion.
Search and rescue operations were continuing in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on June 15, a day after deadly floods swept through the city. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead and 10 others remain missing. The Tbilisi zoo was inundated by floodwater, killing some animals and allowing others to escape and roam the streets.
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The death toll from devastating flooding in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, has risen to 19, the government said in a statement on June 16, adding that 17 of the victims have been identified.

Six Georgians remain missing, as search-and- rescue operations continue.

Heavy rains started late on June 13, bloating the Vere River until a torrent raged through the capital.

The flooding allowed tigers, lions, wolves, and other animals to escape from the city's zoo.

Some of the animals were killed by the floodwaters, some were shot by police, and others were captured and returned to their cages.

It remains unclear how many were shot dead by police, but they include lions, tigers and wolves.

Authorities estimate the damages casued by the flooding at almost $44 million.

The European Union (EU) has said in a statement that it was "ready to deploy assistance to help the country in the aftermath of this disaster."

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    RFE/RL's Georgian Service

    RFE/RL's Georgian Service is a trusted source of politically and financially independent journalism in a country where much of the media is aligned with the government or the opposition.

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