Incheon Apartment Pool Disinfection Chemical Leak Accident Injures 15
A chemical leak occurred at a large-scale apartment complex in Incheon, where a chlorine-based liquid used for pool disinfection was released. As a result of this incident, 15 individuals were injured, 11 of whom were transported to the hospital.
According to the Incheon Seo-gu Office and fire authorities, the leak happened at around 3:02 PM on the 9th in the chlorination room of an apartment located in Baekseok-dong, Seo-gu.
Sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as 'bleach', is a chlorine-based disinfectant mainly used for sterilization and disinfection purposes, especially in swimming pools.
A total of 15 individuals, including residents using the pool, were exposed to chlorine in this incident. Among them, 11 were taken to the hospital due to severe symptoms, while the remaining four received first aid on the scene.
The victims mainly reported respiratory issues, eye irritation, and skin irritations.
Severe Injuries and Response Measures
One male victim in his 40s, who was transported to the hospital, was classified as severely injured due to serious symptoms of respiratory distress and dizziness. The remaining 10 individuals were classified as having minor injuries and are receiving treatment.
The apartment complex where the incident occurred consists of a total of 25 buildings and 4,805 households. Incheon Seo-gu advised residents through safety text messages to be cautious of chlorine inhalation and to keep their windows closed.
According to initial investigations by the fire authorities, the leak occurred in the pit space connected to the machinery room during the process of injecting the sodium hypochlorite solution into a tank. It has been determined that the machinery room is adjacent to the swimming pool, allowing harmful gases to spread rapidly.
The estimated amount of disinfectant that leaked is approximately 1,000 liters. Immediately following the incident, the fire authorities issued Response Level 1 and deployed 22 firefighters and 19 pieces of equipment to the scene for rescue and containment operations.
Currently, police, fire authorities, and the Seo-gu Office are conducting a thorough investigation into the precise circumstances surrounding the accident, the cause, and the extent of the damage.
Image source: Incheon Fire Department Provided
