Georgia declares January 9 day of mourning following tragic fire in Abkhazia

The Georgian government has declared January 9 a day of mourning following the tragic incident in Saberio village, Gali district of Abkhazia, which resulted in the death of five children.

A fire broke out in Cholaria family’s house in Saberio on January 5, claiming the lives of five children, one of them was less than a year old, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

Preliminary reports suggest that the tragedy was caused by negligence. The children's grandmother attempted to light a stove but accidentally mixed up containers of gasoline and kerosene. The flames engulfed the house in minutes, with neighbours only managing to rescue the grandmother, who is currently receiving treatment in Kutaisi. 

"According to the relevant decree signed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, in observance of the day of mourning, national flags will be lowered to half-mast at administrative buildings across Georgia," the decree states.

The Georgian government has again expressed condolences to the family and relatives of the children who lost their lives in the fire. The victims' funeral will take place on January 9.

By Naila Huseynova