News Article 13

Georgia Flood: Animals from zoo escaped

Heavy flooding in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, has killed eight people and officials are warning residents to stay indoors to avoid animals that have escaped from a zoo as many dangerous animals are still loose.

The missing animals include tigers, lions, bears and wolves. It is believed that a zookeeper is among the dead. A hippopotamus was cornered in one of the city's main squares and subdued with a tranquiliser gun. However other animals have been killed in the flood. Rescue workers are searching submerged homes to check for trapped residents. Dozens of people have been left homeless after their houses were damaged or destroyed. 

10 people have been reported missing and Mayor Davit Narmania said the situation was "very grave". Other animals have been recaptured or killed though it is unclear how many are missing. Helicopters are now circling the city as part of a search and rescue operation. Tbilisi's vice-mayor, Irakly Lekvinadze, estimated the preliminary damage at $10m (£6.43m).

I hope that they find the rest of the animals quickly for the safety of both the animals and the people of Tbilisi and continue to search for those reported missing in the hope that they may have survived this terrible flood.