Dozens hurt by chemical leak at Eilat hotel
Some 98 people suffer light to moderate injuries as result of hypochlorite leak in hotel's machine room in southern resort town. Injured complain of respiratory difficulties, burning sensation in their eyes; firefighters evacuate building
Some 98 people suffered light to moderate injuries Monday after being exposed to a hazardous material at a Club Hotel resort in the southern city of Eilat.
The injured, complaining mostly of respiratory difficulties and a burning sensation in their eyes, were taken to the city's Yoseftal Medical Center.
Firefighter teams were called to contain the scene and their initial investigation revealed that a human error which took place while a truck was unloading hypochlorite in the hotel's machine room, resulted in the substance accidentally coming in contact with hydrochloric acid, creating a gas which began spreading throughout the compound.
Firefighters at hotel (Photo: Yossi Dossantos)
Hypochlorite is used by many resorts to maintain water quality in pools. Hydrochloric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid common in industrial uses.
The mixture resulted in a harsh chemical odor, which soon enveloped the hotel. "Some of the girls and I went outside to smoke and we smelled something reminiscent of gas," Orly, one of the hotel's employees told Ynet.
"We walked towards the pool, but it just got worse. It smelled like ammonia and our eyes began to sting. It was everywhere and when we went to the lobby we saw the guests were being evacuated."
The Fire Department said that the teams sent to the hotel were able to contain the leak, but since the substance was airborne, the hotel's guests and employees were evacuated for their own safety.
Magen David Adom emergency services declared the incident a mass-casualty event.
Injured evacuated
צילום: יוסי דוססנטוס
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