4 Die in Tkibuli Coal Mine Accident

Four miners died in a Tkibuli mine while repairing a freight elevator on May 9. The elevator malfunctioned and fell down a 400 meter mine shaft, killing the miners.

After a 14-hour rescue operation, the bodies of the deceased were recovered from the Mindeli mine in west Georgia.

UPDATE: The Ambassadorial Working Group (AWG) released a statement Friday saying it was saddened to learn about the tragic accident that occurred in the Tkibuli coal mines. "The AWG expresses deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the victims. This tragic accident leading to a loss of peoples’ lives is yet another reminder of the urgent need to establish adequate health and safety procedures in the workplace, including proper legislation and the establishment of labor inspection mandated in line with International Labour Standards." 

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili released a statement following the incident. “I would like to offer my condolences to the families of the Tkibuli miners,” the PM stated.

The president of Georgia also offered his condolences to the families of the deceased men. “I stand by the side of the families of the deceased. Unfortunately the existing conditions on labor safety do not preclude similar disasters,” the president said.

Georgia’s Economic Minister Giorgi Gakharia says the dead miners’ families will get financial compensation. “First of all, I want to offer my condolences to the families of the deceased. An investigation is underway and all offenders will be punished,” he added.

Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili says that the accident was caused by the absence of an effective labor inspection mechanism in the country. The ombudsman stressed that the number of casualties and injuries at the workplace increases every year. “In 2016 58 died and 84 people were injured due to improper working conditions in Georgia. It is not an accident, it is murder, and the state is responsible for it,” Nanuashvili said. The public defender says that if the approach of the state towards the labor conditions is not changed, the situation might worsen in the future.

Last night a protest rally of students and non-governmental organizations was held at the old parliament building in support of the miners. The rally turned into a confrontation between activists and law enforecement, which resulted in a detention of three demonstrators. Afterwards, the protesters marched to the governmental administration and continued the demonstration there.

By Thea Morrison