Twelve people, including 11 foreign nationals and one Georgian, have died from carbon monoxide poisoning at the Gudauri ski resort in Georgia, authorities have confirmed.
The victims’ bodies were discovered in a sleeping area above an Indian restaurant in the popular resort. Gudauri, the largest and highest ski resort in the former Soviet republic, attracts winter sports enthusiasts from around the world.
According to police, “preliminary tests do not indicate any trace of violence on the bodies,” suggesting that the deaths were accidental. The authorities believe the tragedy was caused by an oil-powered generator that had been turned on after the building lost electricity on Friday.
The bodies were found on Saturday, located on the second floor of the building housing the restaurant. An investigation into the incident has been launched, though the identities of the victims have not been released as of yet.
Gudauri is a renowned destination for skiing and snowboarding, offering a variety of winter sports activities for visitors of all levels. The resort is situated in the Caucasus mountains in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. At an altitude of around 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level, Gudauri has been a popular spot for tourists since the 19th century when it was originally known as a trading post along the ancient Georgian Military Road connecting Georgia and Russia.
