Major operation in Lower Austria

Gas leak: 50 people evacuated from indoor swimming pool

(Bild: FF Raabs an der Thaya)

On Monday morning, around 50 people had to be evacuated from an indoor swimming pool in Raabs an der Thaya (Lower Austria). The reason was a chlorine gas leak.

According to the fire department, two new chlorine gas cylinders had been delivered to the pool in the Waldviertel municipality and placed in the designated room. When the technician closed the door to the operating room, the gas sensors triggered an alarm at around 5 pm. As in such cases, the Raabs fire department was automatically called. Subsequently, experts from the hazardous substances group were also called out.

Leaking chlorine gas cylinder
The guests and employees were evacuated to a shelter, reported the Waidhofen a. d. Thaya district fire brigade. There were no injuries. After an investigation with gas-tight chemical protection suits, the emergency services discovered a leaking chlorine gas cylinder.

The all-clear was given after an hour
This was transported outside and secured with a secondary valve (placed over the cylinder valve to seal it). After about an hour, the all-clear was given by the pollutant experts. The bathers and staff were allowed to leave the shelter again.