The Indians confirmed the death from carbon monoxide poisoning

A man who was supposed to be celebrating his birthday and a married couple were among 11 Indians killed in Ski resort of Georgia on weekends.

Sameer Kumar, who had arrived in Georgia only a few months ago, died along with a couple, Ravinder Singh and Gurvinder Kaur, outside an Indian restaurant in Gudauri, relatives said.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia said he believes that 12 victims – including one citizen of Georgia – died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Indian government said it was in contact with the families of the victims and was working to recover the bodies of those who died in the incident.

An initial investigation found no signs of violence or injuries on the bodies that were discovered on Saturday, the Georgian ministry said in a statement.

The incident is believed to have occurred after a power generator located near the bedrooms was turned on after a power outage in the building.

Authorities are working to determine whether the deaths could warrant a charge of “negligent homicide.”

Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas known as the “silent killer.” It is formed after incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. When inhaled, the gas prevents the blood from carrying oxygen in the body. This can lead to poisoning and lead to death.

The BBC Punjabi team spoke to some of the victims’ families in the northern Indian state of Punjab.

Gurdeep Kumar says his 26-year-old brother Samir recently moved to Georgia in search of employment opportunities.

“The last time we spoke to him was on Friday, the day before his birthday,” he said. “The family tried to contact him on his birthday but did not hear back.”

A day later, they found the restaurant owner’s number and got information about the incident, he said.

The family is now calling on the federal and state governments to ensure his body is repatriated to India so they can perform his last rites.

In Sunam village, relatives mourn the death of Ravinder Singh and his wife.

“They went to Georgia in March after spending 1.3 million rupees ($15,310; £12,060) in search of a better future,” Singh’s uncle Kuldeep Singh Bawa Kainchi told BBC Punjabi.

Gudauri is a popular tourist destination for fans of skiing and snowboarding. It offers a wide variety of winter sports for visitors of all skill levels.

Its history dates back to the 19th century, when it was known as a trading post on the ancient Georgian Military Road that connected Russia with Georgia.

Gudauri is located in the Caucasus Mountains in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region at an altitude of about 2,200 m (7,200 ft) above sea level and about 120 km (75 mi) north of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

Gurminder Singh’s Additional Report in the Punjab

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