Rescuers deployed “on a large scale” on Friday afternoon to the Reinach public swimming pool (BL), the Basel-Campagne police communicated on Saturday. In question: a strong smell of chlorine, leading several children to complain of respiratory disorders. Firefighters and the chemical accident service were therefore quickly dispatched to the site. But the measures taken in water and in the air “have not revealed any anomaly”. Likewise, no technical defect has been detected.
It has finally been proven that the nuisance probably came from a jet of water that projected chlorinated water in the air. Under the effect of heat, the smell concentrated closer to the ground instead of dispersing. Seven children were checked on the spot by the emergency services, without having symptoms linked to an inhalation of chlorine. The basin was reopened after checks.
In the end, the event will have mobilized the police of Basel-Campagne, the municipal police of Reinach, the firefighters of the region, firefighters specializing in chemical accidents, a chemistry advisor, the inspectorate of firefighters of the two Basels, ambulances and the Office of the protection of the environment and energy.