Tragic Fire Claims Lives of Five Children in Gal District

SUKHUM / AQW’A — A devastating fire engulfed a private home in the village of Papynyrkhua, in the Gal district, claiming the lives of five children. Konstantin Pilia, Head of the Gal District Administration, confirmed the incident. The victims were the grandchildren of the Cholaria family, while their grandmother, who was also in the house at the time, survived. The youngest child was just four months old.

The Acting President of Abkhazia, Badra Gunba, was immediately informed of the tragedy. He has instructed the district administration to provide all necessary support to the affected family. Additionally, Mr Gunba has ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), and other relevant agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

Speaking to ApsnyPress, Acting Head of the MES Lev Kvitsinia revealed that the five deceased children were all sisters. He added: "All five were girls. We are currently confirming their ages with relatives. The youngest was reportedly eight months old, and the eldest eight years." He clarified that the children’s grandmother survived the fire, while their parents were not at home at the time. "The mother was in hospital, and the father was visiting her. The children were left in the care of their grandmother," Mr Kvitsinia said.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by a tragic accident. The grandmother, while lighting the stove, mistakenly used petrol instead of kerosene, leading to the blaze.

In response to the tragedy, Acting President Badra Gunba has declared 6 January a day of mourning across Abkhazia. State institutions will lower national flags, and all cultural institutions, television, and radio stations will suspend entertainment events and programmes in solidarity with the bereaved family.