The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia responded to yesterday’s underwater explosion in the seaside city of Batumi, the capital of the Adjara region.
“The MIA immediately responded to the incident in Batumi, upon receiving the notification, and relevant units, including employees of the Emergency Situations Management Service, patrol police and criminal police, promptly arrived at the scene of the incident.
“The investigation into the incident was started under Article 229 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.
“As part of the investigation, demining works were carried out, remnants of an explosive device were removed and appropriate examinations were done. The footage taken by the citizens, depicting the fact, has been studied. Police have already interviewed eyewitnesses.
“Employees of the Coastal Guard Department of the Border Police are inspecting the surrounding waters of Batumi and Poti, as well as the harbors, with high-speed boats, as well as monitoring the coastline from Anaklia to Sarpi. The appropriate units of the Emergency Situations Service monitor periodically using special drones.
“In order to protect the safety of citizens, the employees of the Emergency Management Service, the Coast Guard Department and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have close communication with each other and work in a coordinated manner.
“The criminal police will promptly respond to any message or information.
“The relevant units of the Ministry will monitor the protection of the coast line through special techniques and equipment, will implement appropriate preventive security measures in the territorial waters of Georgia. In addition, informational meetings will be held with local fishermen, organizations involved in shipping and transport activities and representatives of local self-government.
“In order to protect security, special barriers will be placed in the territorial waters of Georgia along the coastline.
“In accordance with the international standard, a special circular was issued on navigation safety measures.
“Due to the current situation in the region, similar facts have recently been observed in other states near the Black Sea.
“The Ministry of Internal Affairs urges citizens to immediately contact the public safety management center “112” and provide detailed information in case of noticing or discovering a suspicious object in the sea or on the coastline,” reads the statement.
An underwater explosion occurred in Batumi yesterday, about 30 meters from the coast, when an unknown underwater object blew up.
By Ana Dumbadze
