[Anchor]

Fifty-nine people, including hotel guests and staff, were hospitalized following a chlorine gas leak at a popular swimming pool at a hotel in Jeju. Fire authorities believe the gas was generated when pool disinfectants were mixed incorrectly.

JIBS Reporter Kim Jae-yeon.

[Reporter]

An ambulance urgently enters a luxury hotel in Seogwipo.

Upon arriving at the scene, people can be seen sitting weakly and catching their breath.

Emergency responders are busy working at a makeshift medical station.

Chlorine gas leaked from the hotel swimming pool.

The first report was received around 10:40 AM today (October 1), stating that a strong smell of bleach was coming from various parts of the hotel.

[Hotel Guest: They told us to get out of the swimming pool, so I went out with the kids. But I first thought, why on earth would they use so much bleach in a hotel pool?]

[Hospitalized Hotel Guest: The gas smell was all over the rooms, in the hallways, and even reached the lobby. I felt like we couldn't stay, so I took all my family members and went outside...]

The chlorine gas concentration, measured for the first time about 1 hour and 40 minutes after the accident occurred, recorded a maximum level of 50 ppm.

Around 380 guests staying at the hotel at the time reportedly evacuated outside the building in accordance with an announcement.

More than 50 patients, including guests and hotel staff who complained of symptoms such as dizziness and vomiting, were transported to various hospitals.

Chlorine gas is a hazardous chemical substance that can cause respiratory distress or lung damage if it affects the corneas and respiratory tract.

[Kang Chang-hwan / Head of Response Team, Seogwipo Fire Station: This is a situation where mixed chlorine gas was generated due to the mistaken replenishment and mixing of bleach. We are currently continuously measuring chlorine gas in the swimming pool machine room.]

Police and fire authorities are investigating the exact cause of the accident and whether any additional hazardous substances were released.

(Video by: Kang Myung-chul JIBS)

JIBS Kim Jae-yeon