Georgia offers condolences to the Nepal earthquake victims
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Monday, April 27
Georgian officials, state bodies and ordinary citizens have offered their condolences to the victims of the deadliest earthquake in Nepal that has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people, officials say based on the current situation.
No Georgians have been found among the dead or injured.
Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs state about an constant contact with the affected state and reveal a hotline Georgians can phone from Nepal to Georgia’s Embassy to India: +911149496000; +919560093233; +919560791004.
“On behalf of the Georgian Government and people, I extend my deepest sympathies to the Nepalese people and the families of the victims and wish them strength and courage during this difficult time,” Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said.
The same was said by President Giorgi Margvelashvili.
According to BBC, the 7.8 magnitude quake struck an area of central Nepal between the capital, Kathmandu, and the city of Pokhara.
There were also victims in India, Bangladesh, Tibet and on Mount Everest, where avalanches were triggered.
The government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, and help has been offered by countries around the world.
Little information has emerged from the epicentre, where extensive damage has been reported, and there are fears the death toll could rise yet further.
The US has said it is sending a disaster response team to Nepal and has released an initial $1m (?0.7m) to address immediate needs, according to the US aid agency USAID.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a military transport plane with three tonnes of supplies and a 40-strong disaster response team to Nepal.
Officials said three more planes would follow, carrying a mobile hospital and further relief teams.
The quake triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing at least eight people, and another five in Tibet, officials and reports say.
At least 35 people have been killed in India, Indian officials say, with one death also reported in Bangladesh.
