AN error in mixing the chemicals used for keeping the water clean at the Son Hugo swimming pool complex is being blamed for a toxic cloud which formed in one of the engine rooms yesterday, forcing the evacuation and closure of the complex and leaving two men in hospital recovering from intoxication.
According to 112 emergency service sources, the alarm was raised at 7am when the mistake in mixing the chemicals was made.
Apparently, the lorry driver delivering the Hydrochloric acid mixed 1'000 litres of the chemical with Hypochlorite, instead of the usual 200 litres, causing the toxic cloud.
The alarm was raised immediately and fire fighters and police evacuated all the cleaning and maintenance staff who were preparing to open the complex to the general public.
Fortunately, all the safety systems kicked in and the toxic mixture was prevented from leaking into the swimming pools. Engineers wearing special gas masks were first to enter the building and inspect the extent of the potential danger before fire fighters and police began a complicated and potentially dangerous clean up operation and also ventilating the entire complex.
Fire fighters were at the scene for most of the day carefully diluting the toxic mixture which caused the cloud.
The lorry driver and an employee at the complex were taken to a Palma clinic after being overcome by the fumes and they remained under observation last night.
If they are given the all clear, the two men should be discharged today. The pool could also reopen today.
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