Batumi: At least 12 people died and a dozen were injured on Friday as a fire ripped through an upmarket hotel in Georgia’s Black Sea resort city of Batumi, officials said.

“Twelve people died of carbon monoxide intoxication” at the 22-storey Leogrand hotel, the regional health minister Zaal Mikeladze told journalists.

“Ten people were hospitalised, mostly with smoke inhalation injuries. They all are in a stable condition,” he added.

Three Turks and an Israeli were being treated at the Batumi University Clinic, spokesman Kakha Chikhradze told Palitra News TV.