Temur Mghebrishvili: Rescuers found 5 bodies today, all of them at the location of the cottages - a total of 16 bodies were found in the disaster area

In Shovi, the number of people who died as a result of the disaster increased to 16. The Ministry of Internal Affairs disseminates information in this regard.

According to the agency, more than 200 people were taken to a safe place as part of the rescue operation.

"Five bodies were found in the disaster zone today, during the work of the firemen and rescuers. The employees of the emergency management service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been conducting a search and rescue operation in Oni municipality for the third day.

"Firemen and rescuers of the emergency situations management service, police units, drones, special equipment, border police helicopter and a group of cynologists of theeEmergency situations management service are involved in the work," the information reads.

Temur Mgebrishvili, head of the emergency management service, made a comment to the media regarding the current rescue operation. As he noted, as a result of active works, an iron construction bridge over the river was organized, which allows heavy equipment to be brought into the disaster area. According to him, the rescue operation will continue continuously throughout the night with night lights.

"Today, 5 bodies were seen, which were taken to the mortuary. In total, 16 bodies were found in the disaster area. The bodies are being identified. The bodies were seen at the same so-called cottages location. As for the progress of the rescue measures, as a result of active work this morning, an iron construction bridge over the river was organized, which allows us to bring all the necessary equipment into the disaster area. We will actively continue working throughout the night, there are night lights and search operations will continue 24 hours a day. At this stage, 7 bodies have been identified, the process continues, and by the end of the day I think we will have some news in this direction. We found two cars in the river bed today. At the moment, the said vehicles are being removed from the river bed. There were no people inside. We have contacted the owners of one of the cars, and they are alive and healthy," said Temur Mghebrishvili.

The head of the emergency situations management service also commented on various types of information spread in the media and noted that any type of information is checked and reacted to.

"No matter how illogical it may seem to someone, we check any information. Various types of information are distributed. Once again, I would like to take advantage of your broadcasts and call on anyone who deems it necessary to verify any kind of information to call us on the hotline or 112, and we will verify all kinds of information as quickly as possible," said Temur Mghebrishvili.

"So far, 16 bodies have been found by the rescuers. More than 200 people have been taken to a safe place as part of the rescue operation," reads the statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.