A devastating incident at the popular ski resort of Gudauri has resulted in the deaths of twelve individuals, including eleven Indian nationals and one Georgian citizen, due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. The majority of the victims hail from Punjab, highlighting the close-knit nature of the affected community.
All eleven Indian victims were employed at ‘Haveli,’ an Indian restaurant situated on the second floor of a building in the resort area. Authorities reported that a power generator was improperly placed indoors near the bedrooms, leading to the accumulation of toxic fumes. The Georgian Interior Ministry confirmed that there were no signs of injuries or violence at the scene, reinforcing the theory of accidental poisoning.
Among the deceased are Sameer Kumar from Khanna, Gagandeep Singh from Moga, Amarinder Kaur from Rajpura, Maninder Kaur from Mansa, Ravinder Singh and his wife Gurwinder Kaur from Sunam, Ravinder Kala from Jalandhar, Sandeep from Tarn Taran, and Varinder Singh from Samana. The identities of the remaining two victims, also from northern India, are still pending confirmation by local authorities.
The Indian Embassy in Georgia is actively collaborating with Georgian officials to expedite the necessary formalities, including post-mortem examinations. Once approvals are secured, the bodies will be repatriated to India. However, logistical challenges persist as there is only one weekly flight operating between India and Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Indian community in Georgia, raising concerns about workplace safety and the measures in place to prevent such incidents. The Embassy has pledged full support to the families of the victims during this difficult time.
Local authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the carbon monoxide leak and to ensure that all safety protocols are thoroughly reviewed to prevent future occurrences. Meanwhile, the families of the victims await the repatriation of their loved ones, hoping for answers and closure in the wake of this heartbreaking loss.
