Explosion rocks unfinished tunnel in Georgia, casualties reported
TBILISI. Jan 22 (Interfax) - Three workers were hurt on Monday in an explosion which rocked an unfinished rail tunnel being built by the China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co. in western Georgia, according to Georgian media.
All of the workers sustained severe injuries, the alternative trade union of Georgian Railway said.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown.
Georgian Railway has offered no comment.
The tunnel is part of project to modernize Georgia's railways. It is located near the village of Bezhatubani in the Kharagauli municipal district of the Imeretia region.
According to the alternative trade union, labor-safety norms have been seriously violated in the course of this project before now, and the workers have held numerous protests demanding that the Chinese company's administration ensure normal working conditions.