When a civil servant sacrifices himself to save someone else's life, the society can freely call it a heroism, Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze said at the civil funeral of those who died as a result of the helicopter crash in Gudauri.

He expressed his condolences to the people of Georgia.

"I offer my condolences to the entire Georgian society, this is our tragedy. When a civil servant sacrifices himself to save someone else's life, the society can freely call it a heroism," said Juansher Burchuladze.

8 people, including 2 rescuers, 2 ambulance doctors and 4 pilots, died in the rescue operation in Gudauri on July 29.