Industry News
Twelve people were found dead on Saturday, December 14, at the Gudauri ski resort in Georgia, in what authorities believe to be carbon monoxide poisoning. An official statement from the Georgian Interior Ministry claims the victims, comprising 11 foreign nationals and one Georgian citizen, were discovered in a sleeping area above an Indian restaurant at the popular skiing destination.
Georgian authorities have launched an investigation into the event. Initial examinations revealed no signs of violence on the bodies, leading investigators to suspect an accidental cause. The Georgian Interior Ministry is treating the case as involuntary manslaughter under Article 116 of the country’s Criminal Code.
Preliminary findings point to a power generator as the likely source of the deadly carbon monoxide. Officials reported that an oil-powered generator had been activated on Friday following a power outage in the building. The generator’s placement in an enclosed indoor space near the bedrooms is believed to have led to the fatal accumulation of the odorless, colorless gas.
While the identities of the deceased have not been released, it is believed that they were employees of the Indian restaurant located on the premises. Forensic experts are currently working on-site, and a forensic medical examination has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Gudauri is 75 miles north of Tbilisi and is Georgia’s largest and highest ski resort. Nestled at 7,200 feet in the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, it’s a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Carbon monoxide is particularly hazardous due to its lack of color and odor, making it difficult to detect without proper equipment. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion, among others.
Gudauri Ski Resort was the scene of a horrific chairlift rollback incident in 2018, where many people were thrown backward from an out-of-control lift, resulting in many casualties.
