File photo: Koropi, in East Attica, in June 2021. Photo: C messier, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Koropi School Pool Fumes Send 13 Pupils to Hospital

11 Nov 2026, 20:00 by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City Times

Fumes from chemicals mixed during maintenance of a Koropi school pool sent 13 six-year-old pupils and 12 adults to hospital on Wednesday, and police arrested the owner of the maintenance firm.

The Hellenic Fire Service received the alert at about 10:20am local time. Nine firefighters and four vehicles from the Koropi station attended. A specialist team from the 1st Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK) also joined them.

Staff evacuated the primary school and kindergarten as a precaution, the school said. They then moved pupils and workers to the secondary school building, which the fumes did not reach.

EKAB ambulances took the 13 first-grade pupils to the Aglaia Kyriakou Children’s Hospital in Athens. The group included eight boys and five girls, all aged six. In addition, 12 adults went to Sotiria Hospital.

The two maintenance workers, aged 37 and 45, received care at the local health centre. Another pupil left with their mother.

Early reports said everyone was in good condition. By early afternoon, five of the six-year-olds had left hospital after tests. At the same time, doctors continued to assess the other eight.

Koropi school pool investigation

During the response, EMAK specialists removed a container of hydrochloric acid from a storeroom near the Koropi school pool. They took it to a safe location.

Police initially detained three people over the Koropi school pool incident. They were the head of the cleaning company and two maintenance workers who did the work.

Officers later arrested the company’s 54-year-old owner. However, he walked free on the oral order of a prosecutor. The two workers also left after giving statements.

Authorities have opened a case file for endangerment. First indications point to the wrong use or mixing of pool chemicals. Investigators plan to question other people as well.

Licensing and liability

Kessaris Schools said the strong odour came from maintenance workers wrongly mixing chemicals. The problem started in the plant room and did not affect the pool water, the school said.

“Liability for the incident rests solely with the company that had undertaken the maintenance of the swimming pool and those responsible,” the school said.

It added that the Koropi school pool holds a valid licence and meets all requirements. Until now, the pool had never had a problem, the school said. It warned it would take legal action against anyone linking the incident to the pool water.

Previously, a ceiling section fell on a pupil during class in Korydallos, Greek City Times reported in October.

Source: Kathimerini

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