Floods kill at least 8 in Georgia's capital

At least eight people have died due to severe flooding in the capital of Georgia, dpa quoted local media as reporting Sunday.

Portions of the city's zoo were destroyed, allowing many animals - including six tigers, six lions and eight bears - to break free of their enclosures and roam the streets of Tbilisi.

Police have shot dead several animals over safety concerns, with six wolves killed at a children's hospital, according to broadcaster Rustavi 2.

The government has established a crisis centre. Although the thunderstorms of the past several days have subsided the Interior Ministry is advising people in Tbilisi to remain indoors.