Police reveal cause of 12 deaths at Georgia ski resort
The victims were discovered in a sleeping area above a restaurant at the popular resort and all worked in the building where their bodies were found, a statement from police added.
Apartments at Gudauri ski resort in the Caucasus Mountains, Georgia. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Twelve people, including 11 foreigners and one Georgian national, have tragically died from carbon monoxide poisoning at the Gudauri ski resort in Georgia, authorities announced. The victims were discovered in a sleeping area above a restaurant at the popular resort, and all worked in the building where their bodies were found, a statement from police added.
Gudauri is the highest and largest resort in the country and is a popular tourist destination for skiers and snowboarders. It's located in the Caucasus Mountains in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region at around 7,200 ft. (2,200 m) above sea level and is about 75 miles (120 km) north of Georgia's capital Tbilisi.
Preliminary tests suggest no signs of violence, indicating the incident was accidental, according to police. The poisoning is believed to have been caused by an oil-powered generator that was activated after a power outage on Friday.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas produced by burning any fuel. The silent killer can leak from faulty furnaces or fuel-fired heaters, or it can be trapped inside by a blocked chimney or flue. Initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to flu-like illnesses including dizziness, fatigue, headache and nausea. As carbon monoxide levels rise, disorientation, loss of consciousness and even death may result.
Make sure fuel-burning appliances are in good working order and used properly. Have your home heating systems, including chimneys and flues, inspected each year to make sure they are operating properly and are not leaking. Inspectors should check all heating appliances and their electrical and mechanical components, thermostat controls and automatic safety devices.
To protect yourself and your family, experts advise putting a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your house.
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