A Punjab sad story written in Georgian ski resort

Of the 12 people found dead at a restaurant in the ski resort of Gudauri, Georgia, possibly due to carbon monoxide poisoning, 11 were Indian nationals with most of them from Punjab.

- HARPREET BAJWA @ Chandigarh

As per reports, 26-year-old Sameer Kumar, from the Billa Wali Chappri area of Khanna, had moved to Georgia six months ago and was employed at the Haveli restaurant where the tragedy occurred. He spoke to his mother on Friday, the eve of his birthday, before going to bed. Kumar informed her that due to a power shortage caused by a snowstorm, they had arranged for generators. "We tried calling him on Saturday to wish him a happy birthday, but our calls went unanswered. When we contacted the restaurant, we learned that all 12 people sleeping on the premises had died due to a gas leak, and that Sameer was among them. We request the government to bring his body back for the last rites," said a close relative. Kumar is survived by his parents, brother