Investigation launched into dozens of children falling ill at Tbilisi nurseries
Children poisoned at Tbilisi kindergartens
Fourteen children were taken to hospitals from state-run nurseries in Tbilisi with symptoms of intoxication. The agency responsible for managing the capital’s kindergartens said seven state-run nurseries had suspended operations “to prevent epidemiological risks”.
According to the agency, the children had developed high temperatures, while some also experienced nausea and vomiting.
The Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance has launched an inquiry into the incident. Searches reportedly continued throughout the night at four kindergartens and three companies supplying food to them. Relevant teams from the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture also took part in the investigative activities.
At this stage, it is unclear what caused the children’s condition or whether the cases were linked to food served at the nurseries. Some parents said their children had eaten a beef cutlet at the kindergarten. However, doctors say investigators will only be able to establish the exact cause through clinical tests.
The investigation is being conducted under Article 198, Part 2 of the Criminal Code. The provision concerns the production and sale of products that pose a danger to human life or health, where this creates a risk to life or health.
According to the information available so far, 55 children and one staff member from 20 Tbilisi kindergartens have sought medical attention. However, the number of children and staff showing signs of poisoning may be higher, as not all of them have visited medical facilities.
Maya Chkhaidze, director of the Tsitsishvili Children’s Clinic, said 14 children from different kindergartens had been brought to the clinic. They had experienced vomiting, abdominal pain and symptoms typical of gastroenteritis.
“This could be a symptom of a viral infection or intoxication. At this stage, it is impossible to determine the exact cause,” Chkhaidze said.
According to her, none of the patients is in serious condition. Several children have already stabilised and are in satisfactory condition, although they remain in the clinic under medical observation.
Saba Buadze, a former Tbilisi City Council member from the opposition Lelo party, wrote on social media that companies which win tenders supply food products to kindergartens, while staff prepare meals directly on the premises.
According to him, the estimated value of procurement in this sector exceeded 100 million lari (around $40 million) in 2024–2025.
Buadze recalled corruption cases uncovered in the sector, including during the investigation into the case of recently convicted former State Security Service chief Grigol Liluashvili. One of the corruption episodes for which authorities charged him involved allegedly taking kickbacks from commercial organisations when awarding kindergarten food procurement contracts, using his official position.
“During my time on the Tbilisi City Council, we summoned officials accused of corruption to the council several times. But they failed to attend the hearings, violating the law. Recently, the quality of food in kindergartens has improved compared with previous years,” Buadze wrote.
Children poisoned at Tbilisi kindergartens
