Chemical leak at swimming pool in Thai Northeast, 9 children injured

KHON KAEN, THAILAND, March 14 (TNA) - A chemical mixture, used for purifying water in swimming pools, had leaked in a public swimming pool in Khon Kaen Province in the Thai Northeast, injuring at least nine children. The incident took place at around 8pm on March 13 at the swimming pool inside a stadium of Khon Kaen's Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) while more than 20 children were having their swimming lesson. Rescue officials rushed to send the nine children inhaling the chemical mixture to hospital, while the rest of them were taken home by their parents. An initial investigation found that a tank of the mixed chemical substances, comprising soda ash, copper sulfate and alum, which were kept at a storage room had a chemical reaction with its smoke and smell flowing out of the container and blanketing the whole area. Local disaster prevention and mitigation officials were removing the substances and clearing the area for a thorough inspection and a complete fixing. (TNA)