"The family tried contacting him on his birthday"
A Punjabi couple were among 11 Indians who died at a ski resort in Georgia.
Married couple Ravinder Singh and Gurvinder Kaur died above an Indian restaurant in Gudauri just days before their wedding anniversary after being poisoned by carbon monoxide.
Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said the 11 Indian nationals were all from Punjab. The 12th victim was a Georgian national.
The victims all worked at a restaurant in the ski resort, having moved to Georgia in search of a better future.
According to the Indian Government, they are in touch with the victims’ families and are working to bring their bodies back to their home country.
An initial investigation revealed no signs of violence or injuries on the bodies, which were found on December 14, 2024.
It is believed that the incident occurred after a power generator, located near the bedrooms, was turned on after the building’s electricity was switched off.
Carbon monoxide allegedly leaked from the power source.
Authorities are now working to determine whether the deaths could lead to charges of “negligent manslaughter”.
Carbon monoxide is an odourless gas that is known as the “silent killer”.
It is produced after the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. The gas, if inhaled, prevents oxygen from being carried by the blood in the body. This can lead to poisoning and can be fatal.
Gurdeep Kumar said his brother Sameer recently moved to Georgia to seek employment opportunities.
He said: “We last spoke to him on Friday, a day before his birthday.
“The family tried contacting him on his birthday but never heard back.”
A day later, they tracked down the restaurant owner’s number and were informed of the incident.
Gurdeep added: “We are shattered. We don’t know how to bring my brother’s body back to India. We feel completely abandoned.”
In the village of Sunam, relatives are mourning the death of Ravinder Singh and his wife.
His uncle Kuldeep Singh Bawa Kainchi said:
“They had gone to Georgia in March after spending 1.3 million rupees (£12,060) seeking a better future.”
Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi said:
“We have urged the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate with the Georgian Embassy for the swift repatriation of the deceased.
“We hope to receive the bodies soon.”
Gudauri is a popular tourist destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. It offers a range of winter sports activities for visitors of all levels.
Its history dates back to the 19th Century when it was known as a trading post on the ancient Georgian Military Road connecting Russia with Georgia.
Gudauri is located in the Caucasus mountains in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region at around 2,200 metres above sea level and is about 75 miles north of Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.
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