The ongoing operation in the disaster zone will be performed on a larger scale from today, said the Head of the Emergency Situations Management Service.

“In total, 8 vehicles are presumed as lost. At the same time, we expanded the search area in the epicenter of the disaster itself, herewith, throughout the day, the search operation was actively carried out at the so-called mineral waters location”, - said Temur Mghebrishvili.

The search and rescue operation has been in progress in a round the clock regime for the 7th day in Oni municipality.

Police units, fire-rescuers of the Emergency Situations Management Service, K-9 unit experts, border police helicopters, drones and special equipment are involved in the operation held in disaster-affected zone as well as employees of the Ministry of Defense and the Department of Roads under the Ministry of Infrastructure.

19 bodies have been found by rescuers in the disaster zone as a result of the search and rescue operation, and search operations are still underway for 14 missing persons.