A devastating incident at Georgia’s popular Gudauri ski resort has left 12 people dead, with authorities suspecting carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of the tragedy. The bodies of 11 foreign nationals and one Georgian citizen were found at an Indian restaurant at the resort, triggering an urgent investigation by Georgian police.
The fatalities were discovered in the restaurant’s second-floor sleeping quarters, where the victims, believed to be staff members, had been staying. Authorities report that initial examinations of the bodies revealed no signs of external violence, suggesting that the cause of death was likely accidental. The Georgian interior ministry has opened a criminal investigation under Article 116 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which addresses deaths caused by negligence.
Deadly mistake
According to early findings, the generator, which was positioned in a confined space next to the bedrooms, was turned on during a power outage the day before the bodies were found. The generator’s placement in such a small, enclosed area raises concerns about safety and the risks of carbon monoxide buildup. Preliminary theories suggest that the toxic fumes from the generator, which would have been trapped in the closed space, could have caused the deaths.
“The generator was placed in a confined area near the sleeping quarters, and the power outage the night before likely led to its use,” said a spokesperson from the Georgian interior ministry. “The circumstances around this tragic event are still under investigation, and forensic specialists are working to confirm the exact cause of death.”
Investigation underway
Witnesses are being questioned as part of the ongoing inquiry. Forensic experts have arrived at the scene, and a forensic medical examination has been ordered to establish the exact cause of death. The investigation is also focused on whether any criminal negligence played a role in the tragedy, particularly with regard to the use of the generator in such close proximity to the victims.
“The investigation is actively underway,” the ministry of internal affairs stated in a press release. “We are conducting interviews and carrying out relevant examinations to determine the cause of this tragic incident.”
Resort safety under scrutiny
The tragic event has raised serious questions about safety procedures at the resort, particularly concerning the use of generators in enclosed spaces. Local authorities are being pressed to reassess safety measures to ensure that such accidents do not happen again in the future.
As the investigation unfolds, the families and loved ones of the victims are left to grapple with the devastating loss. The foreign nationals, whose identities have not yet been fully disclosed, were working in the restaurant, further adding to the emotional weight of the incident.
