More than 60 tourists, including British nationals, were poisoned after using a swimming pool at a hotel in Benahavis on Spain's Costa del Sol. The incident occurred on Sunday, prompting emergency treatment for affected guests, with several requiring hospital care.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
The hotel, which has not been officially named, is located in the popular resort of Benahavis. According to Spanish press reports, at least 60 tourists, including children and the elderly, were treated for poisoning at the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella after being transferred by health services. All were later discharged. A number of other affected individuals were treated on site at the hotel complex.
After the incident, the pool was sealed off. The Andalusian government's health department attributed the poisoning to a system failure that caused a leakage of gas, suspected to be from a breakdown of the pressure pump that injects chlorine into the water.
Guest Accounts and Legal Considerations
Guests who checked in on Monday morning reported being told by reception that the pool would be closed all day for maintenance reasons. One guest complained: "Maintenance is usually done in winter not in summer, in the middle of the high tourist season." Some of those affected are said to be considering legal action against the hotel.
A young Polish tourist staying at the hotel, which hosts visitors of various nationalities including Spaniards, Portuguese, French, English, Ukrainian, and German, said: "The only thing I heard is that there were problems with the water, but I don't know what happened."
Investigation and Expert Analysis
A laboratory van from Integralab, a Malaga-based facility accredited for water and swimming pool analysis, was seen arriving at the hotel. Both the hospital and the hotel declined to comment when approached by Spanish media. Pool poisoning incidents typically occur when chlorine concentrations and pH levels are not properly balanced, leading to the formation of toxic substances that can cause eye and mucous membrane irritation, respiratory issues, or gastrointestinal problems.
