Grand Josun Jeju records chlorine gas level of 50 ppm; 59 hospitalized and affected facility shut down

[Financial News, Jeju = Jeong Yong-bok] Chlorine gas was released at the five-star Grand Josun Jeju in Jeju's Jungmun Tourist Complex after pool disinfectants were mixed incorrectly, sending 59 guests and employees to hospitals. About two hours after the incident was reported, the chlorine gas concentration at the scene was measured at 50 ppm, 50 times the 1 ppm permissible level cited by fire authorities. Josun Hotels & Resorts suspended operations at the affected facility and decided to review its overall operating procedures.
According to Jeju Province and the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters, a report was received at around 10:40 a.m. on the 1st stating, "There is a strong smell of disinfectant throughout the hotel."
Fire authorities arrived at the scene at around 10:50 a.m. and broadcast an evacuation announcement throughout the hotel at 10:53 a.m. At 11:14 a.m., they set up a temporary medical station and began a joint response with health authorities and other related agencies.
At the time of the incident, guests were staying in 85 rooms, and more than 60 people evacuated the building. In addition to the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters, ambulances from related agencies, including the Jeju Naval Base and public health centers, were deployed to the scene.
Fifty-nine guests, employees and pool users were taken to hospitals in Jeju after experiencing symptoms including nausea, dizziness, vomiting, headaches and coughing. Infants and young children were also reportedly among them.
The incident is believed to have been caused by an error in the mixing of pool disinfectants. Fire authorities believe a large amount of chlorine gas was generated when a hotel employee incorrectly mixed chemicals in the mechanical room while disinfecting the pool. Josun Hotels & Resorts also explained that an error occurred while chemicals were being added to manage the pool's pH level.
Figures indicating the scale of the incident were confirmed in the afternoon. When fire authorities measured the chlorine gas concentration at the scene at around 1:17 p.m., they detected 50 ppm. That was 50 times the 1 ppm permissible concentration cited by the authorities.
Forty minutes later, at 1:57 p.m., the level had fallen to 2 ppm. The concentration dropped sharply as ventilation and safety measures were carried out, but it was still higher than the 1 ppm level cited by fire authorities.
The operator also stepped up its response that evening. Josun Hotels & Resorts issued an official statement in the name of CEO Choi Hoon-hak, saying it had suspended operations at the affected facility immediately after the incident and was investigating the exact cause and circumstances with related agencies.

The safety status of related facilities is also being inspected. The review will not be limited to the facility where the incident occurred but will be expanded to the company's overall operating procedures.
The company said it would examine whether the incident resulted from an operational error during the chemical application process and whether its verification procedures and management and supervision systems were sufficient to prevent different chemicals from being mixed incorrectly.
CEO Choi Hoon-hak said, "We take this matter very seriously and will determine the exact cause," adding, "We will review the affected facilities and overall operating procedures and implement the necessary improvements and measures to prevent a recurrence." He also said the company would prioritize the safety and recovery of customers taken to hospitals and provide the necessary support and follow-up measures.
Separate from the cause of the incident, whether the initial response was appropriate still needs to be determined.
Some guests claim that although they developed coughing, vomiting and other symptoms along with the strong odor, they did not receive immediate evacuation instructions from the hotel. There were also claims that guests were not provided with enough masks, even though staff members were wearing them.
The hotel explained that, along with the broadcast, staff members visited rooms in person to provide evacuation instructions. It said some people in bathrooms or saunas may not have heard the announcement. The hotel also said it intended to provide masks, but some guests may not have received them in time because of confusion immediately after the incident.
Because the two accounts differ, the investigation by related agencies needs to establish the timeline of the hotel's response, from when it first recognized the abnormal situation through its own measures, the call to emergency services and evacuation instructions.
The incident began with an error in mixing pool disinfectants, but after 59 people were taken to hospitals and a chlorine gas concentration of 50 ppm was measured at the scene, the investigation has expanded to the overall chemical management and emergency response systems.
Police are investigating how the chemicals were mixed incorrectly, how the gas spread, the hotel's initial response and whether any individuals were negligent. Josun Hotels & Resorts plans to improve the relevant facilities and operating procedures and devise measures to prevent a recurrence based on the investigation's findings.
[email protected] Jeong Yong-bok Reporter