Jeju hotel chlorine leak: 59 hospitalised in South Korea
A chlorine gas leak at a luxury hotel on Jeju Island hospitalised 59 guests and employees on Thursday after toxic fumes spread through the property.
Emergency responders transported victims from the five-star Grand Josun Jeju hotel to nearby medical facilities, including Seogwipo Medical Center. Those affected experienced severe nausea, dizziness, headaches and vomiting. Guests using the hotel sauna at the time of the leak, including several infants and toddlers, reported persistent coughing, tearing and runny noses from the pungent smell.
The Jeju Fire and Safety Headquarters received an emergency call at 10:40 a.m. reporting that the building smelled strongly of bleach. Thirteen minutes later, management initiated an evacuation broadcast that cleared approximately 60 guests from 85 rooms.
Fire authorities subsequently established a temporary medical post on the premises at 11:14 a.m. to coordinate the emergency response alongside environmental agencies. According to emergency services, none of the 59 patients sustained life-threatening injuries.
Investigation and guest outrage
Preliminary assessments indicate the noxious gas was generated in the hotel’s machine room. The leak occurred during a routine maintenance procedure when staff added chemicals to adjust the swimming pool’s pH levels. Police and fire officials are now investigating facility personnel to determine whether they violated strict disinfectant management regulations.
Following the evacuation, affected patrons strongly criticised the hotel’s disaster response. Several guests alleged that management failed to issue prompt evacuation announcements in certain areas and did not distribute protective masks as the gas spread through the building.
A representative for Josun Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality corporation operating under the South Korean retail conglomerate E-MART, stated that staff did broadcast evacuation orders and physically knocked on room doors. However, the spokesperson conceded that patrons in bathrooms or the sauna may not have heard the initial warnings.
The company confirmed it is cooperating fully with fire authorities to measure gas concentrations at the property and is arranging measures to minimise inconvenience to affected guests.
