A cryotherapy session in Paris has ended in tragedy, resulting in the death of one woman and leaving another in critical condition due to a nitrogen leak from a cryochamber, as reported by French authorities.
The incident happened on Monday evening at a small sports facility in the 11th arrondissement of the city, according to police sources. Preliminary investigations indicate that a nitrogen leak from the chamber caused the poisoning. A gym employee in her late 20s was pronounced dead, while a female client in her 30s was rushed to the hospital in serious condition.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death has been initiated by the Paris public prosecutor’s office. Additionally, three individuals who provided first aid to the victims also required medical attention, according to the police.
The gym, which had approximately 150 patrons at the time of the incident, was quickly evacuated. Reporters from AFP observed a body being transported out of the facility, covered with a white sheet. Screens were erected to shield the scene from onlookers.
Nitrogen, a colorless and odorless gas commonly utilized in cryotherapy, can pose significant risks if not managed properly. During a cryotherapy session, individuals are subjected to temperatures below -100°C for a maximum of three minutes.
Supporters of whole-body cryotherapy claim it helps reduce muscle soreness, stress, rheumatism, and various skin ailments. Many athletes and celebrities have adopted this treatment as an alternative to ice packs or cold water baths. However, numerous health experts caution that the medical benefits of this practice remain unproven and are calling for more research to assess both immediate and long-term effects.
Diego Brisset, 26, mentioned he intended to work out at the gym but found it closed when he arrived. He remarked, “I’ve always been told it was dangerous,” expressing his relief that he hadn’t tried cryotherapy himself.
This incident echoes past concerns regarding the safety of cryotherapy, as the treatment came under scrutiny in the United States after a tragic event in 2015, when a woman died after being trapped in a cryochamber at a Las Vegas spa after hours. The 24-year-old was discovered the following day by a colleague.
