Married couple among 11 Indians killed in Georgia gas poisoning

A man who should have been celebrating his birthday and a married couple were among 11 Indians to die in a Georgian ski resort at the weekend.

Sameer Kumar, who only arrived in Georgia a few months ago, died alongside the couple, Ravinder Singh and Gurvinder Kaur, above an Indian restaurant in Gudauri, relatives say.

Georgia's ministry of internal affairs said it believed the 12 victims - including one Georgian national - died after being poisoned by carbon monoxide.

The Indian government has said it is in touch with the victims' families and is working to bring back the bodies of those who died in the incident.

The initial investigation show no signs of violence or injuries on the bodies, which were discovered on Saturday, the Georgian ministry said in a statement.

It is thought the incident occurred after a power generator, placed near the bedrooms, was turned on after the building's electricity was switched off.

Authorities are working to determine whether the deaths could lead to charges of "negligent manslaughter".

Carbon monoxide is an odourless gas, and 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.