**Roof Collapse in Tbilisi Leaves Two Dead and Many Injured**
A devastating roof collapse occurred on July 14th, near Tbilisi’s central Station Square. A five-story residential building’s roof overhang crashed down onto an outdoor market, killing two people – a man and a woman – and injuring another person who was rushed to the hospital. Several parked vehicles on the sidewalk were also crushed by the falling concrete.
**Investigation Launched**
The Interior Ministry has launched a criminal investigation into allegations of breaching construction safety regulations, which could lead to charges punishable by up to two years of house arrest or two to five years in prison. Emergency crews, including firefighters and police, worked tirelessly for five hours, conducting search-and-rescue operations until midnight.
**Long-Warning Signs Ignored**
Locals have been warning about the structural weakness of the building for over a year. A video footage circulating on social media shows visible damage and rooftop gaps, fueling outrage against Tbilisi City Hall. This tragic incident has sparked concerns about the safety of buildings in the capital city.
**Systemic Problem or Personal Tragedy?**
Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, weighed in on the situation, stating that this tragedy is not just a personal loss but part of a systemic problem with structurally unsound buildings in Tbilisi. The Tbilisi Mayor, Kakha Kaladze, acknowledged the building’s unsafe condition but blamed the city’s inability to reach an agreement with all residents to demolish and rebuild it.
**Criticism Mounts**
However, critics dismissed this excuse, pointing out that the victims were shoppers and passersby whose safety should have been ensured regardless of the building’s ownership. “Just a warning, just a small wooden barrier would have prevented this tragedy,” wrote Maia Kobaidze on social media, referencing her aunt who was one of the two people who died in the collapse.
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