Emergency services were called to Kaisaris Schools in Koropi after fumes were released during maintenance work on the school’s swimming pool, prompting the mobilisation of the Fire Service and the National Emergency Aid Centre (EKAB). A total of 28 students and adults were transported to hospitals and healthcare facilities.

According to reports, 13 students were taken to the Aglaia Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, while 12 adults, all members of staff, were transferred to Sotiria Hospital after inhaling gases.

Of the 13 children taken to the children’s hospital by ambulance or accompanied by their parents, five have already been examined and discharged, while the remaining eight are still undergoing assessment.

The group consisted of five girls and eight boys, all aged six. According to reports, the children were taken to hospital following suspected exposure to chlorine gas from swimming pool chemicals. None of the pupils had shown any symptoms.

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<caption>The school’s swimming pool</caption>

Meanwhile, two maintenance workers who had been carrying out work on the pool were taken to the Koropi Health Centre. Another pupil was collected directly by their mother, who signed a declaration accepting responsibility.

“There was an odour, the protocol was followed and there is no longer any issue,” said Ilias Kaisaris, director and owner of the school.

“There was a leak in the swimming pool, but we don’t know what happened,” one mother said. “My child told me that many people had fainted. We were worried, but they told us the children were safe and asked us to come and collect them early,” she added.

The incident occurred on the school premises, at the junction of Lamptron Street and 1 Lysimachou Street. As a precaution, the primary school and kindergarten were evacuated, with pupils and staff safely removed from the buildings.

Earlier in the afternoon, the authorities removed a container of hydrochloric acid from the swimming pool’s storage area. Nine firefighters with four vehicles from the Koropi Fire Service attended the incident, while the removal of the container and its transfer to a safe location were carried out by a specialist team from the First Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK).