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Some of the 24 who are still missing are believed to be buried in their cars under the mud near Heroes’ Square. (DF Watch.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The latest figures from the flood in Tbilisi are that 12 people have died, 24 are still missing, and 40 houses have been destroyed in the Vera and Vake district.

The flood released dozens of dangerous animals from Tbilisi Zoo, many of whom were put down by police.

A flood wave struck Heroes’ Square – an important traffic bottleneck in the city – which will be closed for at least three more days, as hundreds of volunteer are working to clean up the surround area.

Along the disaster struck Vere river, there are large masses of mud and rocks mixed with trees, cars, pieces of buildings and other forms of debris.

Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri said some of the missing are people who were driving in their cars and may be buried underneath the mud somewhere. Some may also be in the river Mtkvari, according to the minister.