London, March 24 (BNA) – 29 people were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties after a “large amount of chlorine gas” leaked into a swimming pool at the London Sports Complex that hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics, authorities said.
The London Fire Brigade said about 200 people were evacuated after chlorine gas was discharged inside the aquatics center in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London due to a “chemical reaction”.
He said the order took 29 people to hospital and evaluated 48 other people at the scene. Most of the injured reported slight breathing difficulties, the Associated Press reported.
The fire service declared a “major incident” and dispatched a large team of emergency workers including 13 ambulance crews and members of the hazardous area response team. Surrounding roads were cordoned off and members of the public were denied access to the park.
Residents were asked to close their doors and windows while workers ventilate the affected area.
While chlorine that is added to swimming pools to kill bacteria is safe, chlorine in the form of a gas is highly toxic.
“When the facilities management company that runs the factory room received the chemicals for the swimming pools,” the Aquatics Center management said.
She added that she was awaiting guidance on when the pool building could safely reopen.
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which was constructed and hosted the 2012 Olympic Games, opened to the public for the first time in 2014.
FA