Clayton Hotel chlorine incident leaves 10 children in hospital

Swimmers suffer breathing problems after chlorine leak

The emergency unfolded at the Clayton Hotel in Liffey Valley on Thursday afternoon, when elevated chlorine levels left swimmers experiencing breathing difficulties and irritation. 

Dublin Fire Brigade was alerted shortly after 3.30pm, prompting an extensive response involving firefighters and medical personnel.

A total of 23 people who had been in the pool were checked over by paramedics. While some were treated at the scene, others required further medical care. 

The initial figures released by the hotel group Dalata indicated that 11 people, comprising ten children and one adult, had been taken to hospital. 

Dublin Fire Brigade chief officer Greg O’Dwyer subsequently put the number at 12, with children making up most of those transported by ambulance.

Some parents reportedly travelled alongside their children as they were taken for treatment, according to The Journal.

Hotel pool stays shut as chlorine incident investigation continues

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, O’Dwyer explained that several children had developed respiratory symptoms following exposure to the chemical. 

Firefighters moved to secure the area and deal with the excess chlorine, while hotel staff arranged rooms where affected children could wash off the substance.  Medical staff, including a doctor, attended to those who needed assistance.

Emergency crews also established a dedicated decontamination area outside the hotel to ensure responders could be treated safely after dealing with the incident.

Dalata Hotel Group, which owns the Clayton hotel brand, confirmed that the swimming pool would remain closed following the incident. 

In its statement, the company acknowledged that excess chlorine had been present in the pool but did not immediately explain what had caused the problem.

The hotel group is now reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident as it works to establish why chlorine levels rose to a potentially dangerous level. 

No reopening date for the swimming pool has been confirmed.