Tbilisi flood: Death toll rises to 13, nine still missing

(DF Watch.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The number of flood victims has increased to 13, according to the emergency service department of the Interior Ministry.

Department head Zviad Katsashvili told journalists that 13th victim was discovered about an hour before.

“We are now looking for the nine remaining person [who are] missing,” he added.

Yesterday, 24 people were missing. 14 of them returned home safely, while one was found dead on Monday.

The thirteenth victim is writer Guram Petriashvili, who was a member of government under Georgia’s first President Zviad Gamsakhurdia. After the opposition confronted Gamsakhurdia and after the military coup, he left Georgia, but returned a few years ago.

Petriashvili was reported missing on Sunday. Was was found dead after his house was destroyed.

Interior Ministry said all departments are continuing active work.

The government’s Security and Crisis Management Council today published a list of those who died in the disaster.