Six young children are fighting for their lives after 250 times too much chlorine was released into a swimming pool used by pupils and families, say officials.
At least 30 people were poisoned due to an alleged blunder by staff who are responsible for cleaning the public pool in Astrakhan in southern Russia.
Most of the patients were taken to hospital to be treated for breathing problems and sore and irritated eyes. In all, 21 schoolchildren were among those treated by medics.
Six children are in intensive care in “grave” condition on oxygen support, said Anastasia Krotova, a spokeswoman for the region’s governor.
A blunder by staff responsible for cleaning the pool complex was behind the poisoning, said reports citing officials.
Footage shows workers wearing full-body hazmat suits and breathing apparatus at the scene as they use a device to take readings.
Another video shows swimmers' clothing, towels and belongings left scattered on the floor of a changing room.
A snorkelling fin lay on the floor near lockers.
That clip also shows officials inspecting chlorine tanks in a restricted area.
Reports said 250 times over the permissible limit of chlorine had been released into the water.
The pool has been closed and a criminal case opened.
Chlorine is a sanitiser that is added to the water in a swimming pool to killgerms.
It forms a weak acid called hypochlorous acid that kills harmful bacteria like salmonella and E coli, and viruses such as diarrhoea and swimmer’s ear.
Too much chlorine in a pool can lead to poisoning , with skin irritation upon contact and gases from the evaporation of water also causing problems.
Symptoms of chlorine poisoning can include vomiting, nausea, a burning sensation, irritated eyes, difficulty breathing and chest pain.
