Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — UPDATED: Six people were hospitalized for gas poisoning while inside a Playa del Carmen hotel. Solidaridad firemen and Civil Protection were part of the responding emergency team at the 12th Street North and Fifth Ave. location Saturday night.

Area residents reported the strong smell of gas to emergency services who sent the response team. At the scene, personnel found people with dizziness, burning eyes and difficulty breathing due to the buildup of gas.
The hotel was evacuated and the effected transferred to hospital by ambulance. A total of four minors and two adult women were treated and since released. Authorities have not said if the six effected were hotel guests, but have confirmed that they were Mexican nationals.

Personnel proceeded to close the area while they investigated the official source of the leak. According to available information, an air conditioning leak of refrigerant gas was responsible for the poisoning. Solidaridad authorities have not issued a statement or made any public comment on the leak.
UPDATED: Solidaridad Civil Protection and fire department confirmed a refrigerant gas leak inside a room of a Fifth Avenue Playa del Carmen hotel. According to municipal authorities, a total of eight people were poisoned and 65 guests evacuated Saturday night.
“In a statement, they Civil Protection and Firefighters evacuated a hotel and provided assistance to 8 people who were poisoned by a possible refrigerant gas leak.
“In response to the report of a gas leak at the In Fashion hotel located on 5th Avenue, rescue personnel attended, who provided medical attention and transport to the hospital to the people who showed symptoms of poisoning, and as a preventive measure they evacuated 65 people.
“After taking atmospheric readings, a possible refrigerant gas leak was determined, so access was restricted and the area delimited for the corresponding work.”