Power Outage Leads to Generator Use... 12 Dead at Georgia Ski Resort

A panoramic view of Georgia Gudauri Ski Resort, unrelated to the article content. Resort official website.

A fatal accident occurred at a famous ski resort in the former Soviet Georgia, resulting in 12 deaths. It is reported that the victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning after the power went out and an emergency generator was used.

On the 17th (Korean time), according to the British BBC and AFP news agencies, the bodies of 11 foreigners and one Georgian national were found in a bedroom above the restaurant at the Gudauri ski resort in Georgia. All of them were known to be employees working at the resort. AFP reported that the police stated, "Preliminary examinations found no signs of assault on the bodies," and it appears to be an accident caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. The police added that after the power went out on Friday, a diesel generator was turned on. The bodies were discovered on Saturday on the second floor of the building housing an Indian restaurant. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, but the identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed. Gudauri is a popular tourist destination for ski and snowboard enthusiasts.

According to Asan Medical Center, carbon monoxide poisoning is a condition caused by inhaling carbon monoxide, leading to headaches, difficulty breathing, and potentially death. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur when using fuels such as gas, propane, or briquettes, spending extended periods inside a running engine vehicle, operating old boilers, inhaling car exhaust, or being at a fire scene. Recently, with the increase in camping activities, cases of carbon monoxide poisoning from using heating devices have risen. There have been instances where people have fallen asleep with heating devices on inside or near tents and lost their lives.