Dozens of tourists including Brits hospitalised after swimming pool poisoning near Marbella

Holiday gone wrong

The incident happened at an unnamed hotel in Benahavís, where a fault in the pool's chemical system exposed guests to dangerous fumes. 

Around 60 tourists, including British visitors, were taken to Marbella's Costa del Sol Hospital for treatment, while children and elderly guests were also among those affected.

According to a regional government official, the problem began after a circuit breaker connected to the pump that injects chlorine and acid into the swimming pool reportedly failed. 

The malfunction caused the chlorine and pH systems to shut down, while other gases continued to be released into the air.

One Polish tourist staying at the hotel said: “All I heard was that there were problems with the water, but I don't know what happened.”

After the pool was closed for maintenance, scientists from a laboratory based at Málaga TechPark were brought in to carry out a series of tests.

The laboratory is analysing both the swimming pool and drinking water, while it also routinely carries out food safety testing for bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.

An investigation into the cause of the leak is continuing. It remains unclear when, or if, the hotel pool will reopen.