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Tbilisi flash floods: Lions, tigers and bears roam Georgian capital as storm hits Tbilisi flash floods: Lions, tigers and bears roam Georgian capital as storm hits
(about 5 hours later)
Seven people are reported dead and many are still missing as flash floods hit Tbilisi, Georgia. Officials have warned people to stay at home as tigers, bears and wolves escaped from the zoo and are roaming the city. Twelve people are reported dead and dozens missing as flash floods hit Tbilisi, Georgia. Officials have warned people to stay at home as tigers, bears and wolves escaped from the zoo and are roaming the city.
Heavy rain began at midnight on Saturday night, causing the Vere river to rush through the city, sweeping away cars and buildings and completely flooding the zoo, Reuters reported.Heavy rain began at midnight on Saturday night, causing the Vere river to rush through the city, sweeping away cars and buildings and completely flooding the zoo, Reuters reported.
Lions, bears, tigers and wolves were among the many animals that escaped and were on Sunday morning roaming the streets. A dazed hippopotamus was seen wallowing in the central Hero’s square before being escorted to safety by locals, Civil.ge agency reported. Lions, bears, tigers and wolves were among at least 30 animals that escaped and were on Sunday roaming the streets. Local news agencies later reported more than half the animals had been returned to the zoo.
A dazed hippopotamus was seen wallowing in the central Hero’s square before being tranquillised and returned to safety, Civil.ge agency reported.
A crocodile was photographed swimming down a street.A crocodile was photographed swimming down a street.
Georgian capital #Tbilisi hit by flooding, zoo animals walk free pic.twitter.com/f1mW2dqW1DGeorgian capital #Tbilisi hit by flooding, zoo animals walk free pic.twitter.com/f1mW2dqW1D
Some of the animals have reportedly been captured and killed but the capital’s police are warning people to stay indoors. Some were killed by police, including a rare breed of white lion cub and six wolves roaming the grounds of a nearby children's hospital. The capital’s police are warning people to stay indoors.
Georgian media is reporting that lots of people are unaccounted for and that two employees of the zoo are feared to be among the fatalities. Three employees of the zoo are among the fatalities. One of these was helping to save lions and tigers and just a week earlier had lost an arm after a run-in with a big cat.
Jurassic Park in Tbilisi. pic.twitter.com/iKkwrkEpkgJurassic Park in Tbilisi. pic.twitter.com/iKkwrkEpkg
@badassday @russian_market - RT @Tiramarit: In Tblisi... pic.twitter.com/OxWjh59vEJ < Mandelson too.@badassday @russian_market - RT @Tiramarit: In Tblisi... pic.twitter.com/OxWjh59vEJ < Mandelson too.
“The damage is substantial,” said PM Irakli Garibashvili in a statement released on Sunday morning.“The damage is substantial,” said PM Irakli Garibashvili in a statement released on Sunday morning.
“Dozens of families remain homeless as their houses  were destroyed or damaged in the capital. They are some victims,” vice mayor of Tbilisi Irakly Lekvinadze told Reuters. He said initial estimates put damages at $10 million. At least 24 people were still missing and 37 were taken to hospital with injuries, Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri told an emergency government meeting. Monday was declared a day of national mourning.
“Dozens of families remain homeless as their houses  were destroyed or damaged in the capital. They are some victims,” vice mayor of Tbilisi Irakly Lekvinadze told Reuters. He said initial estimates put damages at $18 million.
Tbilisi Police ask to stay home due to escaped animals on the streets. - But what to do if the zoo visits you? pic.twitter.com/U0NtF4cwISTbilisi Police ask to stay home due to escaped animals on the streets. - But what to do if the zoo visits you? pic.twitter.com/U0NtF4cwIS