At least 60 holidaymakers have been hospitalised following a toxic gas leak from a swimming pool at a hotel in Benahavis, near Marbella, on the Costa del Sol. The incident occurred due to a pump malfunction that caused chlorine and acid gases to leak, affecting guests including children, elderly individuals, and British tourists.
Details of the Leak
According to Malaga-based newspaper Sur, the leak originated from a faulty circuit breaker on the pressure pump that injects chlorine and acid into the pool. A regional government official told the outlet that the circuit breaker tripped, causing the pH and chlorine systems to stop working while other gases continued to leak. The pool was sealed off for 'maintenance reasons' yesterday, with staff from a public health laboratory conducting tests.
Victims and Response
At least 60 tourists received medical attention, with children and elderly among the affected. The official confirmed that people from the UK were also included. The hotel has not been named. Emergency services responded to the scene, and the pool area remains closed.
Background on Pool Poisonings
Pool-related poisonings occur when chlorine concentrations and pH levels are not properly maintained, leading to the formation of toxic substances that cause eye irritation, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal disorders. This incident follows a similar event days earlier in Rome, where a five-year-old boy was rushed to hospital after a pool chlorine poisoning. Seven children under 10 were among 20 holidaymakers affected, suffering from intense burning in the eyes and throat, coughing, and shortness of breath. Fifty people were evacuated, and firefighters and police attended the scene.
In 2022, a major chlorine leak at the Sea Club Hotel in Alcudia, Majorca, left more than 20 people poisoned, including children, with symptoms such as vomiting and skin irritation. Oxygen was administered at the scene.
Two years ago in West London, nine children and two adults were rushed to hospital after a chlorine leak at Vale Farm Sports Centre in Sudbury. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said crews 'carried out a sweep of the building where a chlorine leak was found in a learner pool on the ground floor.' A hazardous area response team was sent, but around 150 people had already evacuated. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the leisure centre was evacuated as a precaution, and roads were closed. The centre reopened shortly after, but the pool remained shut.
