Brits among 60 tourists ‘poisoned’ in hotel swimming pool | World | News
More than 60 tourists, including British visitors, have been “poisoned” after using a swimming pool at a hotel on Spain’s Costa del Sol. The guests had to be treated in hospital, according to Spanish press reports. The hotel, which has not yet been officially named, is located in the popular tourist resort of Benahavis.
An investigation is underway into the suspected breakdown of the pressure pump that injects chlorine into the water. The incident occurred on Sunday. 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 people were treated on site at the hotel complex.
After the incident, the pool was sealed off. The Andalusian government’s health department has reportedly attributed it to a system failure that caused a leakage of gas.
Some of those affected are said to be considering legal action against the hotel.
Guests who checked in on Monday morning said they were 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.”
A laboratory van from Integralab — a Malaga-based facility accredited for water and swimming pool analysis — was seen arriving at 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,” said a young Polish tourist staying at the hotel.
The hospital and the hotel both declined to comment when approached by the 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.
