News
Nino Tandilashvili: "The Government Took Every Possible Step to Ensure that Every Question Related to the Shovi Tragedy Was Answered Comprehensively"
Three years have passed since the tragedy in Shovi. The First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Mrs Tandilashvili, once again extended her heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones, emphasising that the disaster of August 3, 2023 remains a profound tragedy and an irreparable loss for the entire country.
According to Mrs Nino Tandilashvili, the period following the disaster in Shovi was marked by the dissemination of numerous unverified claims and speculative narratives, making it a matter of principle for the Government to ensure that every question surrounding the tragedy was addressed comprehensively and based on objective evidence.
"Three years have passed since the Shovi tragedy. During this time, a significant amount of misinformation and speculation has circulated. The Government did everything possible to ensure that every question received a comprehensive answer. To this end, alongside Georgian specialists, we engaged the world's leading Swiss companies to conduct an independent assessment of the events in Shovi and prepare a highly qualified expert report.
The findings confirmed that the disaster was caused by an unprecedented large-scale rock-avalanche process that evolved within an exceptionally short timeframe and led to devastating consequences.
The report also unequivocally concludes that neither engineering and structural solutions nor a modern siren-based early warning system could have prevented this natural disaster. The report is a public document and is available for anyone wishing to review its findings in full," Mrs Tandilashvili stated.
The First Deputy Minister further noted that, following the disaster, the Government significantly strengthened its efforts to prevent and monitor natural hazards.
"With the participation of Swiss experts, an unprecedented assessment of Georgia's glacial valleys was carried out, potential risk zones were identified, and the installation of modern monitoring systems has already commenced.
I would also emphasise that, according to the assessment of international experts, no recommendation has been made to install siren or alarm systems at any of the surveyed locations.
The deployment of modern monitoring systems is progressing actively and will continue over the coming years to ensure that the Government has comprehensive and up-to-date information on the processes taking place in Georgia's glacial valleys," Mrs Tandilashvili said.