TBILISI, Georgia
At least 12 people have been killed and 36 others have been injured in heavy flooding in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, the city’s Mayor Davit Narmania said Sunday.
The flooding was caused by heavy rain that started Saturday night.
The flash floods also hit the city's zoo, with dozens of animals, including lions, bears, tigers, wolves and a hippo set loose, and roaming around the streets of Tbilisi.
Some animals were reportedly captured, while some were also killed. Police asked people to stay indoors as a precaution until the situation was declared under control.
The heavy flooding is estimated to have cost around $18 million in damages, Georgian Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri said.
