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23rd Mar 2022

London Aquatics Centre: Emergency services respond to ‘major incident’ in Stratford

Steve Hopkins

The London Fire Brigade said they are dealing with reports of a ‘chemical incident’

A “major incident” has been declared at London Aquatics Centre in Stratford with emergency services treating “a number of patients” suffering from “breathing difficulties”.

The London Ambulance Service (LAS),  London Fire Brigade, and the Metropolitan Police were at the centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 9.45am Wednesday.

LAS said it has “dispatched multiple resources to the scene and are treating a number of patients”.

A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said: “Due to a chemical reaction a high quantity of chlorine gas was released.

“London Ambulance Service are treating a number of patients. Around 200 people were evacuated from the centre.

“While we ventilate the premises we would ask those residents in the immediate vicinity to close doors and windows.”

The park tweeted on Wednesday that there had been an incident “involving the release of gas” and “casualties with breathing difficulties” were being treated.

“The area has been cordoned off and evacuated. We’re working with emergency services on site,” the park said.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he remains in “close contact” with emergency services and advised people to avoid the area “which has been cordoned off and evacuated”.

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