Dozens of vacationers at a hotel in Costa del Sol have been hospitalized due to toxic gas exposure. Around 60 individuals required medical treatment after a malfunction in the swimming pool’s pump system released the harmful gas. The incident took place at an undisclosed hotel in Benahavis, near Marbella.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the gas leak. According to a regional government official, the issue stemmed from a circuit breaker failure on the pressure pump responsible for chlorine and acid injection into the pool. Consequently, the chlorine and pH systems ceased to function properly while other gases continued to be emitted.
Both children and elderly guests, including visitors from the UK, were transported to Marbella’s Costa del Sol Hospital for treatment. The affected pool was promptly closed for maintenance purposes. Although it was shut down the previous day, it remains uncertain if it will reopen today.
A Polish tourist staying at the hotel mentioned hearing about water problems but was unaware of the exact circumstances. Health workers from a public health and clinical laboratory located in Malaga TechPark were seen conducting tests at the hotel. In addition to analyzing swimming pool and drinking water, the laboratory specializes in testing food for various contaminants.
In a similar incident in July 2022, over 20 individuals, including children, were poisoned by a significant chlorine leak at a hotel in Majorca. Symptoms reported by affected guests included vomiting, skin irritation, and itching. Health professionals provided oxygen to some of the victims within the hotel premises.
Improper maintenance of chlorine levels and pH in pools can lead to pool-related poisonings, resulting in the generation of toxic compounds that cause eye irritation, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal disorders. In August 2024, a dozen people were hospitalized due to gas emissions from a hotel’s swimming pool storeroom in Menorca.
Emergency services, including ambulances, police, firefighters, and paramedics, swiftly responded to the incident at the Royal Son Bou Family Club Hotel. The situation was attributed to human error, with a gas cloud forming after hydrochloric acid was mistakenly poured into a chlorine tank during a delivery.
This series of pool-related incidents underscores the importance of proper pool maintenance and chemical handling to ensure the safety of hotel guests and staff.
