Hundreds of people were evacuated from Olympic Park Aquatics Centre today after a chlorine gas was released, leaving multiple people struggling to breathe as local residents were urged to keep doors and windows closed.
More than 200 people in the east London sports facility were told to get out, as swimmers including children were given oxygen masks.
Emergency crews, who rushed to the centre in Stratford at around 9.45am, said a “high quantity of chlorine gas” was released inside the building because of a “chemical reaction”. The area was cordoned off and people were urged to keep their distance from the park.
London Ambulance Service said 29 people were taken to hospital, with a further 48 assessed at the scene. The majority said they were suffering minor breathing difficulties, a spokesman said.
Effects of chlorine gas include “irritation of eyes, nose and throat that can usually be tolerated for about an hour”, according to Patient.info, which is certified by the NHS.
Higher intensities may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough. Extremely high concentrations are usually fatal over 30 minutes.
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which hosted the 2012 Olympic Games, said in a statement: “We are working closely with emergency services who are on site. We understand there are a number of casualties with breathing difficulties who are being treated by the London Ambulance Service.”
One swimmer, Graham Redman, told The Independent: “Around 9.35am we were told to get out of the pool and that there had been some kind of chemical reaction. There were kids in the pool and also a parents-and-babies class.
“The staff were very organised in getting us out. They had foil blankets for us immediately when we came out.”
Mr Redman, 42, a structural engineer, said: “There were some people who needed oxygen masks and the children were sharing the masks around.
“There wasn’t any panic - it was all very orderly. We just had to wait outside a while before they went back in to get our stuff.”
The London Aquatics Centre said the leak happened when the facilities management company that operates the plant room took delivery of pool chemicals.
“We are awaiting guidance from the facilities management company and the emergency services on when the centre will be able to reopen,” it said.
Another witness, Jordan Williams, said: “I came out of work and all these ambulance were outside. I saw a few people outside getting treated by the ambulance - there were adults and a couple of kids.
“Once I got my stuff outside, all the ambulance came in and they started closing the road off so I could tell it was quite serious.”
Mr Williams, a lift engineer at a neighbouring building site that was evacuated, added: “I’ve worked here a year-and-a-half and we’ve never had anything like this before.”
People living nearby were asked to keep doors and windows closed. London Fire brigade tweeted: “Due to a chemical reaction, a high quantity of chlorine gas was released inside the centre.
“While we ventilate the premises, we would ask those residents in the immediate vicinity to close their doors and windows.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “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 London Ambulance Service. Please avoid the area which has been cordoned off and evacuated.”
