At least 16 individuals were taken to the hospital after a chemical reaction ensued at a resort in Talisay City, Cebu.

Four of them were described to be kibitzers who reside in the vicinity of the resort.

As of this writing, only one of the 16 persons remains at the hospital after sustaining burns evening on September 2, 2025. 

Chlorine, a substance used for water purification, was reportedly mixed with muriatic acid by mistake. White stains left by the chemical reaction are apparent on the roof near the swimming pool.

According to Lita Diaz, caretaker of the resort in Barangay Pooc, customers were directed to leave the pool by 6 p.m. However, seven customers appealed to transfer about five meters away from the pool to proceed with their videoke and drinking session.

Diaz said that a certain Marjun, 23 years old, who regularly cleans up the pool, took a pail with chlorine supposedly to proceed with the cleanup.

Marjun reportedly flung the chlorine forcefully into the pool, but an explosion ensued instead, similar to the sound of a firecracker.

Marjun sustained burns on his neck, chest, and parts of his face.

Diaz found out that the pail already contained muriatic acid, not water, that induced a chemical reaction when chlorine was mixed.

To recall, when chlorine bleach is mixed with an acid, chlorine gas is given off.

Personnel from the Talisay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), City Health Office, and Talisay City Police Station responded promptly to the situation.

Of the 16 individuals who complained of dizziness and vomiting, nine of them are guests, three are staff members, while four are neighbors. There were a few who were able to go home immediately evening on September 2, 2025.

Alvin Santillana, CDRRMO chief, said that the chlorine explosion is considered a hazmat (hazardous materials) reaction.

Further, the Talisay City Legal Office has issued a Notice to Stop Operation against the resort management morning on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, while a joint investigation was being conducted by the Talisay City Police, Talisay City Fire Station, and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Talisay City.

The resort management vowed to heed the order from the LGU.

Mayor Gerald Anthony (Samsam) Gullas is bent on creating a task force comprised of personnel from the Business Permits and Licensing Office, City Health Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, CDRRMO, and other related agencies to inspect other resorts in the city in order to avert a similar incident.