Gas release at Steinkjer water park sends 10 children to hospital

Ten children were taken to hospital after a gas release at Dampsaga Bad, a water park in Steinkjer, Dagbladet reported. A total of 68 people were evacuated to a neighbouring building.

One baby and three primary school-age children were taken to hospital by ambulance. Six other children were transported in a minibus. They were being examined for respiratory problems.

Police operations leader Oystein Sandhals Volden said the gas was produced by a reaction between chlorine and sulphuric acid, rather than by a leak.

Emergency services were alerted shortly before 2pm on Wednesday. Mid-Norway 110 emergency communications centre duty officer Stig Lunde said the extent of the incident remained uncertain.

Jessica Jonsson, 23, the manager of a skincare salon and spa opposite the water park, was among those evacuated. She told Dagbladet that she noticed an intense smell before seeing people being evacuated from the water park.

Jonsson said she was well and that the incident had been handled effectively. Staff from the water park brought towels outside for guests who had been evacuated while wearing swimwear.