On April 29, 1991, a terrible tragedy happened in the Dzau district of South Ossetia. A powerful earthquake, the epicenter of which was located in the Racha district of Georgia, struck this land with devastating force. The underground tremors, reaching a magnitude of 9 points, left deep scars behind.
This natural disaster took the lives of 59 people; more than a thousand suffered injuries and trauma of varying degrees of severity; and the village of Dzau was completely destroyed. But the most terrible thing is that the natural disaster completely engulfed the village of Khakhet. It literally went underground, leaving only memories and the pain of loss.
Thirty‑five years later, we remember this tragedy. It is a reminder of the power of nature and how important it is to be prepared for any challenges. We grieve with those who lost their loved ones and remember those who survived that terrible day.
Today, a memorial rally was held in the village of Dzau, along with the laying of flowers at the monument to the victims of the earthquake. The leadership of the Republic, headed by President A.E. Gagloev, representatives of ministries and departments, deputies, relatives of the deceased, and residents of the district came to honor the memory of those who died during the natural disaster.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia, A.M. Dzhioev, and the Ministry’s staff took part in the memorial event.
April 29, 2026