Paphos hotel pool fumes hospitalize 26, two arrested

Paphos police are intensively investigating an incident at a hotel swimming pool in Geroskipou that resulted in 26 guests being hospitalized. Two hotel employees have been arrested in connection with the case, according to Michalis Nikolaou, Assistant Police Director of Operations.

The incident occurred when fumes from the pool affected the guests, leading to their treatment at Paphos General Hospital. Among those hospitalized were 12 adults and 14 minors, including two boys aged 8 and 9 who were briefly detained but are expected to be discharged today.

Police are examining allegations that the hotel's 28-year-old employee, who was responsible for pool maintenance, poured 10 liters of various types of bleach simultaneously, causing a chemical reaction. Nikolaou noted that this individual, whose contract specifies duties as a room caretaker, was not authorized to handle such chemicals. The 57-year-old supervisor is also under investigation.

Nikolaou stated that the usual protocol for pool maintenance does not involve such actions during operational hours, and the issue arose from a need to address low chlorine levels that had resulted in germ proliferation.

The investigation is ongoing, with scrutiny also directed at the hotel management for potentially illegal employment practices related to the 28-year-old's role.

[Information sourced from CNA]