A cryotherapy session in Paris has turned deadly with one woman dying and another hospitalised in critical condition due to a nitrogen leak from a cold chamber, according to French investigators.
The tragedy occurred at around 6:20pm on Monday evening at a small sports centre located in the 11th district of the French capital, according to a police source. The centre is understood to be the On Air facility, on Voltaire Boulevard.
According to initial findings, a nitrogen leak from the cryochamber is thought to have caused the poisoning, a source close to the investigation said. An employee of the gym, who was in her late 20s, died.
A client of the establishment, who is in her 30s, was hospitalised at Lariboisière Hospital, in the city’s 10th district, in a critical condition.
‘An investigation into the cause of death has been launched,’ the Paris public prosecutor’s office said.
Three people who were in contact with the victims and provided first aid also received treatment, the police source said.
The gym, where 150 people were present when the tragedy struck, was evacuated shortly afterwards.
A body covered with a white sheet was reportedly carried out of the sports centre.
In a post promoting the practice of cryotherapy, On Air claimed that it would provide several benefits
Screens were set up to conceal what was happening in front of the door to the gym and along the pavement.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said on Monday evening: ‘An autopsy and toxicological analyses have been ordered to determine the precise cause of death, which is believed to have occurred during a cryotherapy session.’
On Air said following the incident that it would be closed on Tuesday, and apologised for the incident.
In a post promoting the practice of cryotherapy, On Air claimed that it would provide several benefits, including pain and inflammation relief, accelerated muscle recovery and a stronger immune system.
Nitrogen is a colourless, odourless gas that is commonly used in cryotherapy.
During a session in a walk-in chamber a person is exposed to temperatures below -100° Celsius for a recommended time of no more than three minutes.
Advocates say whole body cryotherapy is effective in reducing muscle soreness, stress, rheumatism and various skin conditions.
Star athletes and celebrities have used whole body cryotherapy as an alternative to ice packs and cold water baths.
But many experts warn that the treatment has not been proven to be medically sound and are urging further research to determine the short- and long-term effects.
Diego Brisset, 26, said he planned to work out at the gym but was told it was closed on Monday evening.
He said he did not practice cryotherapy.
A promotional video on the gym’s Instagram shows one of the cryotherapy chambers in action
‘I was always told it was dangerous’, he said.
François Vauglin, Socialist mayor of the 11th arrondissement of Paris, said following the incident: ‘It’s a stupid accident with terrible consequences. It’s infinitely sad. Losing your life for a cryotherapy session is tragic. This type of treatment is not trivial.’
Cryotherapy came under scrutiny in the United States in 2015 after a woman froze to death at a Las Vegas spa.
The 24-year-old woman was believed to have entered one of the spa’s cold chambers after business hours to relieve some aches, and was discovered the next day by a co-worker.
MailOnline has reached out to On Air for comment.
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