‘Chlorine inhalation’ downs 14 minors at Bulacan resort

What was supposed to be a day of relaxation on Good Friday turned out to be otherwise when at least 14 minors were hospitalized after allegedly inhaling chlorine and then vomiting while swimming at a resort in Pandi, Bulacan.

The 14 minors, whose identities were withheld, were already declared in stable condition by attending doctors, according to Police Major Avelino Protacio Jr., acting chief of the Pandi municipal police station.

Initial investigation showed that the victims were swimming at a public resort in Barangay Bagong Barrio, Pandi around 9 a.m. when they all started vomiting and experienced difficulty in breathing. It was not clear if the victims

are related or not.

Citing an unnamed executive from the resort, Protacio said the victims “smelled chlorine” before they turned sick.

The police referred to the incident as a case of excessive “chlorine inhalation.”

The victims were then rushed to the nearby Rogaciano Memorial Hospital for

treatment.

Protacio said 10 of the victims have already checked out of the hospital, three remain at Rogaciano Memorial Hospital while one was transferred to Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City.

Police have conducted a follow-up investigation to determine the liability of

the resort as Protacio revealed that the management allegedly tried to “hide” the incident from authorities.

According to Protacio, there was a Police Assistance Desk (PAD) manned by the cops near the resort but it took the management several hours before they asked for help.