According to Indian mission officials in Georgia, eleven Indian nationals who were employed at Georgia’s largest ski resort, have been found dead with local authorities investigating whether carbon monoxide poisoning could have been the cause of these fatalities.
Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that local police discovered the bodies of twelve restaurant employees – eleven Indian nationals and one Georgian citizen, with no signs of life, in their bedrooms on the second floor of the Indian restaurant Haveli, located at the Gudauri ski resort.
The official statement indicates that preliminary findings from the investigation suggest restaurant’s electric power generator was located in a confined space adjacent to the sleeping areas. This generator was activated due to a power outage, which likely resulted in the emission of carbon monoxide into the rooms, leading to the asphyxiation of the workers during their sleep.
The Georgian police have initiated a criminal inquiry into potential negligent manslaughter. Investigative measures are currently in progress concerning the incident; forensic specialists are present at the scene, and interviews with individuals associated with the case are being conducted. Necessary expert evaluations have been arranged, according to officials.
According to Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, preliminary assessments indicated a lack of evidence for violence or injuries.
The Indian mission in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized its collaboration with local authorities to ensure the swift repatriation of the remains.
Carbon monoxide, commonly known as a ‘silent killer’, is an odorless gas generated by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. Its inhalation can impair the blood’s capacity to transport oxygen throughout the body. Typical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning encompass headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, chest pain, and confusion; however, individuals may fall victim to its effects during sleep without displaying any noticeable symptoms.
Gudauri is a large ski resort located about 120 km (75 mi) to the north of the Georgian capital Tbilisi, on the south-facing plateau of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. The resort is situated in the Kazbegi Municipality, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Jvari Pass, at an elevation of 2,200 meters (7,200 ft.) above sea level. The ski season lasts from December to April.
