Eight people were on Wednesday rushed to a nearby hospital and 24 others treated at the scene, following a chemical leak at a luxury Sydney hotel, a New South Wales State Ambulance spokesperson said.
According to him, guests at the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park Hotel were treated for eye irritation and breathing problems.
He confirmed that everyone treated were now in a stable condition in spite of the initial panic.
Four fire trucks and 16 firefighters responded to the incident on level 20, 21 and 22 of the building at around 9:00 a.m. local time after a strong odor was detected.
“It happened on the pool level area.
“Someone was doing some kind of work on the pool and apparently there was a mixture of chemicals that did not mix well together.
“Somehow the fumes have escaped and gone through the building,’’ the spokesperson explained.
The combination of chemicals, reported to be a mixture of chlorine and hydrochloric acid, then made their way into the ventilation system.
Police have urged pedestrians and motorists to avoid the area.
There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time. (Xinhua/NAN)
