Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze has announced the closure of Mindeli coal mine where four died and six injured as a result of a methane explosion on July 16.
“I express my wholehearted condolences to the families of the victims in this difficult moment. The state cannot allow the vulnerability of health and life of its citizens. Accordingly, we have taken the decision to close the Mindeli mine,” PM Bakhtadze said, adding that the case was being investigated and everyone responsible would be held accountable.
The mine will be closed until the investigation is over.
The employees of the mine will be given their monthly salary during the time the mine will be closed.
The MIA suggested the methane explosion caused a deformation in the walls inside the mine resulting in a ceiling collapse.
Three of six injured were transported to Tbilisi since they needed to be treated in a profiled clinic, according to the Ministry of Health and Labor.
“Mindeli mine has to be closed until modern standards of labor safety have been guaranteed,” one of the leaders of the parliamentary majority, Archil Talakvadze, said.
In April, another six people died and three were injured in Mindeli mine, owned by Saknakhshiri, a daughter company of Georgian Industrial Group (GIG). (Agenda/Ukrainian metal)