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Georgia flood: Tbilisi residents warned over zoo animals after devastating flood Georgia flood: Tbilisi residents warned over zoo animals after devastating flood
(about 9 hours later)
Heavy flooding in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, has killed at least 12 people, with officials warning people to stay indoors to avoid animals that have escaped from a zoo.Heavy flooding in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, has killed at least 12 people, with officials warning people to stay indoors to avoid animals that have escaped from a zoo.
The missing animals include tigers, lions, bears and wolves. Three of the dead people were found within the zoo.The missing animals include tigers, lions, bears and wolves. Three of the dead people were found within the zoo.
A hippopotamus was cornered in one of the city's main squares and subdued with a tranquiliser gun.A hippopotamus was cornered in one of the city's main squares and subdued with a tranquiliser gun.
Rescue workers are searching submerged homes to check for trapped residents.Rescue workers are searching submerged homes to check for trapped residents.
Dozens of people have been left homeless.Dozens of people have been left homeless.
A day of mourning has been announced for Monday,A day of mourning has been announced for Monday,
'Hellish whirlpool''Hellish whirlpool'
Tbilisi Zoo spokeswoman Mzia Sharashidze told InterPressNews agency that three bodies had been found in the zoo, including those of two employees.Tbilisi Zoo spokeswoman Mzia Sharashidze told InterPressNews agency that three bodies had been found in the zoo, including those of two employees.
She said the grounds had been turned into "a hellish whirlpool".She said the grounds had been turned into "a hellish whirlpool".
Ms Sharashidze said wolves, lions, tigers, jackals and jaguars had been shot dead by special forces or were missing.Ms Sharashidze said wolves, lions, tigers, jackals and jaguars had been shot dead by special forces or were missing.
Floodwater rose to the rooftops of enclosures at the zoo, drowning hundreds of animals. Many animals were swept out of their enclosures and escaped.Floodwater rose to the rooftops of enclosures at the zoo, drowning hundreds of animals. Many animals were swept out of their enclosures and escaped.
A bear was found clinging to an air-conditioning unit half way up one building, while a man discovered a hyena on his balcony.A bear was found clinging to an air-conditioning unit half way up one building, while a man discovered a hyena on his balcony.
The flooding began when heavy rains caused the River Vere - normally little more than a stream - to burst its banks.The flooding began when heavy rains caused the River Vere - normally little more than a stream - to burst its banks.
Thousands of people have been left without water and electricity while others have had to be airlifted to safety.Thousands of people have been left without water and electricity while others have had to be airlifted to safety.
Mayor Davit Narmania said the situation was "very grave".Mayor Davit Narmania said the situation was "very grave".
Roads have been destroyed and small houses and cars swept away.Roads have been destroyed and small houses and cars swept away.
Coffins in a city cemetery have reportedly been washed out of the ground and left lying on the mud.Coffins in a city cemetery have reportedly been washed out of the ground and left lying on the mud.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has called on residents to stay indoors until all the animals have been found.Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has called on residents to stay indoors until all the animals have been found.
President Giorgi Margvelashvili has visited affected area and extended his condolences to relatives of the victims.President Giorgi Margvelashvili has visited affected area and extended his condolences to relatives of the victims.
It remains unclear how many are animals missing. Helicopters are circling the city as part of a search and rescue operation.It remains unclear how many are animals missing. Helicopters are circling the city as part of a search and rescue operation.
Vice-mayor Irakly Lekvinadze estimated the preliminary damage at $10m (£6.43m).Vice-mayor Irakly Lekvinadze estimated the preliminary damage at $10m (£6.43m).
In May 2012, five people were killed in Tbilisi after another river flooded.In May 2012, five people were killed in Tbilisi after another river flooded.
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