The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has launched an investigation into a gas leak explosion that claimed four lives, including one child.

The Ministry said that the investigation was launched under Article 240 (I), provision 3 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, involving the breach of safety regulations during the placement, design, construction or operation of electric or thermal energy facilities or gas, oil or oil products facilities that results in death of two or more persons.

“According to the information provided by the local population to the police, a powerful explosion was caused by a leak of a natural gas in the residential building.

At this stage the expert criminologists are working on the scene. Rescue operations continue," the statement reads.