29 hospitalised after 'high quantity of chlorine gas leak' at Olympic pool

23 March 2022, 11:22 | Updated: 23 March 2022, 15:38

London: Authorities attend Olympic Park in Stratford after gas leak at pool

By Emma Soteriou

Some 29 people have been hospitalised after a "high quantity of chlorine gas" was released at the London Olympic swimming pool.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

London Ambulance Service (LAS) said it was treating "quite a number" of patients at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park following an incident when pool chemicals were delivered at the Aquatics Centre.

In an update on Wednesday afternoon, they said a total of 77 people were treated - 29 of which having been taken to hospital and a further 48 having been treated at the scene.

"We sent a significant number of resources including 13 ambulance crews, advanced paramedics, two medics in fast response cars, two incident response officers, a medical incident advisor and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART)," LAS said in a statement.

"We also dispatched medics from London’s Air Ambulance.

"Our crews took 29 patients to hospital and assessed a further 48 patients at the scene. The majority of patients were reporting minor breathing difficulties.

"Thank you to all our teams who responded today, both at the scene and in our control room, and to our firefighter and police colleagues."

Emergency services believed there to be no fatalities, LBC understands.

Worried parents told LBC there were school swimming lessons at the centre on Wednesday morning.

Read more: Boyfriend who kidnapped Angel Lynn has sentence increased to 16 years

Read more: Food bank users 'reject potatoes' because they can't pay to boil them, says Iceland boss

London Fire Brigade official delivers update on Olympic Park gas leak

The London Fire Brigade asked that locals close their windows and doors until the issue is resolved.

A spokesperson said: "Due to a chemical reaction a high quantity of chlorine gas was released.

"London Ambulance Service are treating a number of patients. Around 200 people were evacuated from the centre.

"While we ventilate the premises we would ask those residents in the immediate vicinity to close doors and windows."

Station Commander Shaun Coltress confirmed that there was not an explosion at the scene, with people instead alerted by a smell.

Around 14 ambulances were pictured at the scene.
Around 14 ambulances were pictured at the scene. Picture: Lydia Nicola

The Metropolitan Police said officers were on the scene following the "leak of noxious fumes".

In a statement, the force said: "Officers were alerted by London Fire Brigade at 09:53hrs on Wednesday, 23 March to a leak of noxious fumes at the Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Park, E20.

"Officers and London Ambulance Service have also attended the scene.

"A number of people have been evacuated from the premises."

The building was evacuated when emergency services arrived.
The building was evacuated when emergency services arrived. Picture: Lydia Nicola

The Olympic Park initially said on Twitter it involved "the release of a gas" at the centre, causing the area to be evacuated and cordoned off.

They tweeted: "There has been an incident at the London Aquatics Centre this morning involving the release of a 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 London ambulance."

Over 10 ambulances were pictured at the scene.
Over 10 ambulances were pictured at the scene. Picture: Lydia Nicola

LAS added on Twitter: "We are responding to an incident at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and have a number of resources on scene.

"Please only call 999 for genuine medical emergencies and use 111 online for any other urgent medical needs."

A witness told LBC that "more ambulances have turned up, and they seem to have moved all non-emergency personnel more away from the area now".

Firefighters gathered at the swimming pool.
Firefighters gathered at the swimming pool. Picture: Lydia Nicola

A spokesperson for GLL said: “At approximately 10am this morning we took the decision to evacuate the London Aquatics Centre. 

"This was due to a release of gas that occurred when the facilities management company that operates the plant room took delivery of pool chemicals.

“The emergency services were called and some of our customers have required medical treatment.  We are working to support all those affected.”

“We are awaiting guidance on when the Centre will be able to reopen.”

Locals have been told to close doors and windows.
Locals have been told to close doors and windows. Picture: Lydia Nicola

A statement from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan on the incident 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."

A witness posted online: "Olympic swimming pool in Queen Elizabeth Park Stratford. Not sure what is going on. Hope everyone is OK."

Another person posted: "Major incident at London aquatic centre Stratford."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Conor Maynard shared a health update after his fall

Singer Conor Maynard gives health update after being rushed to hospital on stretcher

Lisa Smith, 43, has been named by Kent Police as the victim of the shooting on Valentine's Day

Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentines’ Day is named - as tributes paid to ‘wonderful mum’

Bafta winners

Conclave and The Brutalist win big at 2025 BAFTA awards - as absent Gascón nomination met with rousing applause

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the UK and Europe are facing a "generational" security challenge.

UK facing 'generational challenge on national security', says Starmer as PM says we 'need to do more'

A fire that engulfed luxury hotel Chiltern Firehouse reportedly started in a pizza oven.

Fire that engulfed celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse 'started in pizza oven' of luxury hotel

Julie Buckley, 54, has not been seen since late January when she went missing from the village of Christchurch, Cambridgeshire.

Man charged with murder in 'no-body' case after woman goes missing in Cambridgeshire

Exclusive
Trump is ‘shaking up our region’, says Israel's president.

Donald Trump is 'shaking up our region', says Israel's president as he 'reveals US leader's strategy' in Middle East

Exclusive
Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' as Israeli President labels 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’

Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' says President, labelling 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’

A teacher who was knocked down by a group of kids playing playground game British Bulldog says she was left with a severe leg injury that left her out of work for months.

Summer camp teacher claiming £300k in damages after group of kids knock her down in famous playground game

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia for peace talks with Russia as the war in Ukraine rages on.

US-Russia peace talks for Ukraine begin as Europe blocked out of Saudi Arabia meeting

Harry received a standing ovation at the closing ceremony.

Meghan's four-word response as Prince Harry receives standing ovation in emotional Invictus Games closing ceremony

Exclusive
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (far right) visits the Tapa NATO forward operating base in Estonia.

Starmer should send 'warships, combat brigade, and air squadrons' to Ukraine, says ex-armed forces minister

Millions of jobs at risk as UK firms mull biggest layoffs in close to a decade amid plunging business confidence

Millions of jobs at risk as UK firms mull 'biggest layoffs in a decade' amid plunging business confidence

Wes Streeting says campaign to free Lucy Letby is 'not right'

'This isn't a political campaign, it's a legal process': Wes Streeting says campaign to free Lucy Letby is 'not right'

Exclusive
West Streeting, left, has back Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister said he was ready to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Peace in Ukraine 'vital for Britain's freedom', says Streeting as he backs PM's calls for troops on the ground

From Conclave to The Brutalist - the full 2025 BAFTA's winners list revealed

From Conclave to The Brutalist - the full 2025 BAFTA's winners list revealed