PM Irakli Garibashvili thanked Russia for offering assistance with equipment to help respond consequences of landslide in the Dariali gorge.

One man died and seven people are missing as a result of landslide close to the Russian border, which has also closed down traffic on the road linking Georgia and Russia and damaged pipeline supplying Russian gas to Armenia.

PM Garibashvili said in a written statement on May 19 that the Russian authorities promptly expressed readiness for “cooperation and assistance”. He also thanked workers and governmental team in charge of responding landslide consequences for their tireless efforts.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement on May 17 after the landslide hit the Dariali gorge that officials from Russia’s ministry for emergency situations were in touch with Georgian counterparts. “Relevant coordination and interaction is being arranged,” it said.

“We will ask all the countries, partner countries, for technical help, should there be a need,” Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Davit Zalkaliani, told journalists on May 19.