3 Catalans die in mountain accident in Georgia

Three Catalans have died in a mountain accident in the Caucasus in Georgia.

Two more members of the party are reported to be in hospital with injuries; their current condition is unknown.

Two of the fatalities were members of the Catalan fire service, both based in the western Catalan Pyrenees, one in Sort and the other in Pont de Suert.

The mayor of Sort, Raimon Monterde, told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that the victims were from the towns of Sort and Soriguera, in the Catalan Pyrenees, and that he would be declaring a period of official mourning.

The victims were part of a group of eight who were on vacation in the area.

ACN has learned that the fatal accident was caused by an avalanche. 

In a message on Twitter, the official Catalan fire service account expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those killed in the accident.

Hem de lamentar la mort de dos companys #bomberscat en un greu accident de muntanya al Caucas (Giorgia). Els bombers estaven adscrits als parc de Sort i Pont de Suert (#RELleida). Volem mostrat el nostre sincer condol a les seves famílies, amistats i resta de companys i companyes

— Bombers (@bomberscat) March 4, 2020