Gasoline Transfer Tank Explodes in Georgia’s Kakheti Region
By Tea Mariamidze
Monday, February 19
Georgia’s Ministry of Environment and Agriculture reports that 23 tons of gasoline poured into the drainage channel after the fuel transfer tank, belonging to State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), turned around in Georgia’s Kakheti region highway and caught fire.
The 17 February incident, that took place on Telavi-Gombori road, was not followed by casualties as the driver of the truck managed to save himself just before the tank exploded.
"Inspectors of Kakheti Regional Division of the Environmental Supervision Department of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture are studying the territory,” the Ministry reported, adding the amount of inflicted damage will be known after the investigative works are over.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the investigation into the case was launched under the Article 188 of the Criminal Code, which means destruction of the item due to negligence.
The witnesses of the incident say the driver lost control over the car, the truck went off the road and turned around.
The representative of Kakheti Municipality, Giorgi Mosiashvili visited the site. He thanked the fire-fighting brigade for effective work.
“The fire was soon extinguished and fortunately no one was injured during the incident,” Mosiashvili added.
