Nine Panjabis Among Eleven Indians Dead in Georgia Gas Poisoning

On the night of 13 Dec, 11 Indians, including 9 Panjabis, died in a gas poisoning incident at a ski resort in Georgia. They worked in a restaurant at a resort, called Haveli, located at Gudauri, a skiing and paragliding destination in the Caucasus mountains on the Georgia-Russia border. Their death was allegedly caused from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty power generator placed near their sleeping quarters. Among those dead were a newly married couple who had invested USD 15K to migrate, a young man who had hoped to celebrate his 27^th birthday, and others who had left their homes years ago seeking better opportunities abroad. Families in Panjab are now grappling with grief, uncertainty over repatriating the bodies, and mounting debts incurred in sending their loved ones abroad. In a statement, the Interior Ministry of Georgia said the deaths occurred in the resting area on the second floor of the Indian restaurant. ‘No signs of injuries or signs of violence were detected. According to the preliminary investigation, a power generator was placed in an indoor area near the bedrooms.’ Indian authorities, including the Indian Embassy in Tbilisi and Panjab’s officials, are working to ensure the swift return of the remains and to support the bereaved families. Politicians, such as Panjab INC MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, have urged the Panjab govt. to expedite the process. The incident has underscored not only the perils migrant workers face while striving for economic stability abroad, but also the need for better safety standards (SDW Vol 2, Issue 13, Story 10).