At least 60 holidaymakers at a Costa del Sol hotel have been taken to hospital with toxic gas poisoning following a swimming pool pump malfunction. The incident occurred at an unnamed hotel in Benahavis, near Marbella, where a problem with the pressure pump that injects chlorine and acid into the pool caused a release of toxic gases.
Pump Failure Leads to Toxic Gas Release
A regional government official told local press that the circuit breaker on the pressure pump tripped, causing the system to fail. The chlorine and pH systems stopped working, but other gases continued to be released. This led to the poisoning of at least 60 people, with others receiving medical attention at the hotel.
Children and elderly individuals, including holidaymakers from the UK, were taken to Marbella's Costa del Sol Hospital, according to Malaga-based paper Sur. The pool was subsequently sealed off and closed for maintenance reasons. It remained closed as of the morning, and it was unclear if it would reopen.
Investigation and Health Response
Staff from a public health and clinical laboratory based in the Malaga TechPark, approximately 45 minutes from Marbella, were seen conducting tests. The firm specialises in swimming pool and drinking water analysis, as well as testing foods for E.coli and Salmonella. The investigation into the scare was ongoing.
A major chlorine leak at a hotel in Majorca in July 2022 left more than 20 people, including children, poisoned. That incident occurred at the Sea Club Hotel in Alcudia. In the current case, holidaymakers suffered symptoms including vomiting, skin irritation, and itching. Health workers administered oxygen to some of those affected in the hotel's garden area.
Pool-Related Poisoning Risks
Pool-related poisonings occur when chlorine concentrations and pH levels are not maintained properly. This leads to the formation of toxic substances that cause eye irritation, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal disorders. The incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance and safety checks for swimming pool systems.
