Railway Tunnel Explosion Injures Three Workers in West Georgia

EDITOR'S NOTE: The early version of this story mentioned it as a "fatal" incident. There were no actual fatalities, and the article has been amended accordingly. We apologise for the error.

Three Georgian workers were injured during the explosion in the railway tunnel in Kharagauli municipality, Imereti region, West Georgia.

The incident happened on January 22, when the workers were performing their duties in the tunnel which is under construction.

The workers were informed about the first explosion, but soon after it, a second explosion occurred on the other side of the tunnel, where the men were working.

The workers were transferred to Khashuri hospital with multiple injuries and bruises. The doctors say two men will be discharged soon, while the third man has broken ribs and limbs.

The locals, who work at the construction, say they have many times protested against improper safety norms and working conditions at the site.

“There are zero safety norms in that tunnel and we all see the result of this. We are working in absolutely unsafe environment,” local worker Vitaly Shubitidze stressed.

Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation into the incident. In parallel, the representatives of the Labor Inspection of the Health Ministry are also studying the case.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: reginfo.ge