Events

MINSK, 24 August (BelTA) – The citizens of Georgia are expressing gratitude to Belarus for the help in extinguishing forest fires, Belarus’ Ambassador to Georgia Mikhail Myatlikov said in an interview to the Belarus One TV channel, BelTA has learned.

“The Belarusian embassy is receiving phone calls from Georgian people who express gratitude for the help Belarus is providing in putting out wildfires,” Mikhail Myatlikov said.

The Mi-26 helicopter landed in Georgia at 07:12 on 23 August. Soon after that it started extinguishing a forest fire in the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. Rescue workers from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Armenia are also involved in the fire-fighting effort. A total of six helicopters are fighting the blaze.

Earlier, the gratitude was expressed by Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili in his Twitter account: “Belarus has sent a helicopter to combat the wildfire in the Borjomi forest. Thank you for the help!”

The forest fire in the Borjomi-Kharagauli forest began on 20 August. Strong winds rapidly spread the fires all over the national park. Since there are no aerial units for fighting fires in Georgia, rescue workers spent an entire night cutting trees to make a road for fire trucks. Careless handling of an open fire may have sparked the disaster.

BelTA reported earlier that the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry sent a heavy Mi-26 helicopter to Georgia upon instructions of the head of state.