Prepared by Messenger Staff
Georgian Citizens Among Passengers in Deadly Bus Crash in Russia
Georgian citizens were among the passengers of a bus traveling from Georgia to Moscow that crashed in southern Russia, killing five people and injuring 38, according to reports from Russian media.
The crash occurred on August 30 on the Kavkaz highway in Russia's Stavropol Krai, near Zheleznovodsk. The bus collided with a KamAZ truck and went off the road.
Ten children were among those injured, and the injured passengers were taken to hospitals in Pyatigorsk. Preliminary reports said 43 people were on the bus.
Russian media reported that the bus was traveling on the Georgia-Moscow route and that most of the passengers were Georgian citizens. Other reports said Azerbaijani citizens were also among those on board.
Georgia's Foreign Ministry said its Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Russia was working to establish the condition and whereabouts of Georgian citizens involved in the crash. A representative traveled to the scene to provide assistance.
Russian authorities are investigating the crash. Initial reports said the bus driver may have failed to keep a safe distance from the truck before the collision.
Public Defender Meets U.S. Chargé d'Affaires
Georgia's Public Defender Levan Ioseliani met with U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Amy W. Diaz, the Public Defender's Office said.
The meeting focused on the human rights situation in Georgia and issues of particular concern, according to the office.
Ioseliani briefed Diaz on the Public Defender's mandate and work, as well as human rights challenges identified by the office and recommendations aimed at addressing them. These recommendations are also included in the Public Defender's parliamentary and special reports.
The sides discussed the importance of continued U.S. support for the Public Defender's Office and said they were ready to maintain cooperation.
The meeting was also introductory, as Diaz began serving as U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. in Georgia in July 2026.
First Deputy Public Defender Tamar Gvaramadze, U.S. Embassy representative Joseph Cafferty and Ekaterine Popkhadze also attended the meeting.
