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Flags on all government buildings across Georgia and diplomatic missions abroad are flying at half-staff today as 17 January has been declared a day of mourning in recognition of those who died in a powerful explosion in a residential building last night in Tbilisi’s Didi Digomi district.

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze announced the government is mourning the tragedy alongside its citizens, Agenda.ge said.

Four people, including a four-year-old child, died last night in the blast.

The explosion took place on the fourth floor of a newly-built nine-storey residential building.

Eight others – six minors and two adults – were injured in the explosion.

Two patients who were transferred to Gudushauri Clinic after the explosion in yesterday have already been discharged, having sustained only minor injuries.

Meanwhile, the medical director at Iashvili Clinic, Ivane Chkhaidze said that only one patient remains at the clinic in the intensive care unit, adding that the patient's condition is stable.

All who have been affected by the blast have been provided with food and shelter, Tbilisi City Hall reports. So far, 27 people have been given temporary accommodations.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has launched an investigation into the explosion.

The ministry says that it is looking into a violation of safety regulations during the installation, design and construction or operation of electric, thermal energy, gas or oil product facilities resulting in the death of two or more persons.