Some 29 people were hospitalized on Wednesday following a giant chlorine gas leak in the Olympic swimming pool in London (United Kingdom). The incident led to the evacuation of 200 people and a massive mobilization of the emergency services.
The premises were evacuated around 10 a.m. after a “gassing” that occurred during the delivery of pool chemicals, according to the venue manager. London Ambulance Services said it transported “29 patients to hospital and examined 48 other patients at the scene”.
Chlorine gas released after a chemical reaction
“The majority of patients suffered from minor breathing difficulties,” said the emergency services. A total of thirteen ambulances were deployed on site in addition to specialized teams. According to the firefighters, a “significant quantity of chlorine gas” was released into the air after a “chemical reaction”.
During the intervention, residents of the area were advised to close their windows and the town hall recommended avoiding the area. The London Aquatics Center was built in the east of the capital for the 2012 Olympic Games. The premises include two swimming pools, a gymnastics club and a crèche.
