Twelve children required medical treatment after inhaling toxic gas caused by a chemical contamination incident at the swimming pool of Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley in Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday.
The children and one adult were taken to hospital following the incident, with several children reportedly suffering from breathing difficulties and irritation, according to Irish national broadcaster RTÉ.
Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) Chief Officer Greg O’Dwyer said the incident was caused by an excessive amount of chlorine mixing with other chemicals in the swimming pool’s plant room.
At the time, 24 children were attending swimming lessons at the pool, accompanied by several parents.
Firefighters wearing gas-protective suits entered the affected area and isolated the chemicals involved.
In a statement, DFB said crews were dispatched from several fire stations across Dublin, including Tallaght, Dolphins Barn, Donnybrook and Dun Laoghaire.
Specialist hazardous materials vehicles from Donnybrook and Dun Laoghaire were also sent to the scene, where firefighters established a decontamination zone.
DFB said the incident posed no danger to members of the public in the surrounding area.
