Emergency services rushed to the scene of a ‘major incident’ in London this morning as a number of people were left unable to breathe.
A gas leak was declared at London's Olympic Park and hundreds of people had to be evacuated from the Aquatics Centre in the East of the city.
Police confirmed on social media that they were working alongside London Fire Brigade responders to deal with the incident and confirmed that it involved the "release of noxious fumes.”
As a result of the leak, a "number of patients," including children, needed treatment shortly after 11:00 am this morning.
London Ambulance Service said: "We are responding to an incident at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and have a number of resources on scene."
Meanwhile, London Fire Brigade wrote online: "Firefighters are dealing with reports of a chemical incident at Aquatics Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. @Ldn_Ambulance are treating a number of patients."
Locals have been warned to avoid the area as authorities deal with the situation.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, wrote on Twitter: "I remain in close contact with our emergency services who are dealing with a gas-related incident at the London Aquatics Centre this morning.
"A number of people are being treated by @Ldn_Ambulance. Please avoid the area which has been cordoned off and evacuated."
Images appearing online from the scene show huge crowds of emergency workers, staff from the venue and customers who were using the swimming pool at the time of the incident.
According to local reports, due to the severity of the situation, some people were even evacuated while still in their swimwear.
Mirror UK reporter, Ashleigh Rainbird, was on scene and confirmed that groups of school children appeared to be at the pool and were being safely evacuated from the building.
She said a large scale cordon was in place and described the scenes first hand saying: "There's quite a lot of construction work going on outside and they all had to down tools as well.
"When I was passing I saw groups being evacuated. When I went back to look, I heard someone say some children were being given oxygen.
"They have taken people to a nearby pub where some are sitting in blankets.
"The cordon is very big and it is very close to Westfield shopping centre, which is still open."
The official Twitter for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park also confirmed the incident online writing: "There has been an incident @AquaticsCentre this morning involving the release of gas.
"The area has been cordoned off and evacuated. We're working with emergency services on site. There are a number of casualties with breathing difficulties being treated by @Ldn_Ambulance ".
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