16 hospitalized after explosion in Cebu resort 

Sixteen individuals were brought to the hospital following an explosion in a resort in Talisay City, Cebu on Tuesday evening.

According to John Consulta’s report n “Saksi” on Wednesday, the explosion happened after a mixture of muriatic acid was thrown onto the chlorine-filled pool. 

The resort’s caretaker said that one of their maintenance staffer was cleaning the pool when he threw a bucket of supposedly chlorine onto the water. But an investigation by the resort management showed that the bucket actually contained muriatic acid and not chlorine. 

“We only mix a small amount of muriatic acid here. This one contained muriatic acid. We don’t mix muriatic acid, chlorine, alum (tawas) all together…We pour them onto the water one by one…,” said Lita Diaz, the resort’s caretaker, in vernacular. 

Personnel from the Talisay CDRRMO responded to the incident after several individuals experienced nausea and vomiting. Also brought to the hospital is the maintenance staffer who suffered burns on his face and body. 

The Talisay CDRRMO explained that what happened was an incident of a hazmat reaction. 

“Based on what we saw in the CCTV, there were bursts after he mixed that chemical into the water. That’s the reaction of the muriatic acid with water,” said Alvin Santillana, head of Talisay CDRRMO. 

The local government had issued a notice to stop operations against the resort while the investigation is ongoing. 

For its part, the resort management said it will comply with the orders of the authorities. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News