A vehement downpour and hail hit the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Saturday night. The natural disaster claimed 11 lives, flooded houses, destroyed roads and a boarding home for dogs; it also flooded the local zoo, releasing over 30 carnivores, Georgian media reported.
The local authorities warned citizens to stay at home as six lions, six tigers, seven bears and 13 wolves fled the zoo, escaping from the terrible flood. Crocodiles, jaguars, a hippo and a rhino are also named among the animals that broke free.
Huge rainstorm floods Tbilisi, #Georgia, setting animals from the city zoo free: #Tbilisiflood pic.twitter.com/p5DeXRT05W
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) 14 июня 2015
The devastating disaster damaged power lines leaving 22,000 residents without light.
Amazing image of hippo led thru the streets after #tbilisiflood destroys city zoo pic.twitter.com/WfCLpmtnPn
— natalia antelava (@antelava) 14 июня 2015
According to the latest reports, the Georgian special task forces had to shoot dead the six wolves, a bear and a hyena, two lions and a tiger, considering them a menace to the public. The majority of the animals were sedated and saved.
More Photos: Animals all around the city after Zoo was flooded. #Tbilisi #Tbilisiflood pic.twitter.com/Gh0LTkUgOS
— Ragnar Lothbrok (@awaisafzalch) 14 июня 2015
One of the victims who perished in the flood was a female zoo employee who returned to work two weeks after she had her hand amputated due to a tiger attack. On the fatal night, she tried to save every last animal till her last breath.
Jumanji night in #Tbilisi. #Tbilisiflood pic.twitter.com/73anrJWNdJ
— Aram Shahinyan (@aramiggs) 14 июня 2015
A lot of the animals died in the zoo, but the elephants, lamas, zebras and penguins were saved.
Тбилиси после ливня pic.twitter.com/SFfX26xS6E
— Oleg Panfilov (@OlegPanfilov7) 14 июня 2015
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili summoned emergency personnel to overcome the consequences of the disaster.
