Abkhazia: activists raise money for a chapel to be built in memory of Lata tragedy

A chapel for commemoration of the people who fell victim to the Lata tragedy is to be built in the central park of Gudauta. This is reported by an initiator of the project.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 14, 1992, during the war between Abkhazia and Georgia, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down over the village of Lata by a missile launched from the territory under Georgian control. The helicopter was carrying out a humanitarian flight. 85 people were killed, including 35 children and eight pregnant women.

"Every year, relatives of innocently murdered people come to Gudauta and light candles. Meanwhile, they put candles on the ground and often hold them in hands while standing under rain and snow. I believe it is important to build a chapel where every Sunday a service will be held to pay tribute to the memory of the victims," said Tsiala Chichba, a member of the initiative group, as quoted by the "Apsnypress".

The activist has explained that she had secured the consent of the relatives of the deceased people. According to her, the Simon Kananit and Andrew the First-Called Foundations opened an account to raise funds for construction.

"Architect Said Lakrba has designed a chapel model for us for free. We will preserve the Byzantine style, which is close to our Abkhazian nature," said the initiator of the project as quoted by the agency "Sputnik Abkhazia".

Let us remind you that in 2014, on the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow for the victims of the Lata tragedy, a museum of military glory was opened in Sukhumi.