Twelve people die from ‘carbon monoxide poisoning’ at ski resort

Twelve people are reported to have died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a ski resort in Georgia.

The bodies of one Georgian national and 11 foreigners were found in sleeping quarters on the second floor of a building housing an Indian restaurant in Gudauri on Saturday, the country’s ministry of internal affairs said in a statement.

The nationalities of those from outside Georgia have not been reported but the ministry said all of those who died were employed in the “same facility”.

“At the initial inspection, no signs of body injuries or signs of violence were detected,” the statement continued.

The ministry has said forensic examinations were due to take place to determine how the people died.

However, the AFP news agency reported police said they had died of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

The interior ministry has said a power generator had been placed in an “indoor area” near bedrooms in the building before the bodies were discovered.

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The generator had been turned on the day before, “probably after the power supply” in the building was “turned off”, the ministry added.

Gudauri, a popular tourist destination for skiers and snowboarders, is located in the Caucasus mountains at around 2,200m (7,200ft) above sea level.