A cryotherapy chamber malfunction at On Air gym in Paris resulted in the death of a young employee and left another woman hospitalized, prompting an investigation by the Paris public prosecutor’s office.

The tragic incident, attributed to a nitrogen leak during a cryotherapy session, underscores the potential dangers of this controversial practice, which is often marketed for its fitness benefits despite concerns over its safety and lack of medical validation. As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the gym employee and the hospitalization of a client, the incident has raised alarms about the protocols in place at facilities offering cryotherapy treatments.

The incident took place on Tuesday at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time at On Air gym, located in the 11th district of Paris. Reports indicate that the cryotherapy chamber malfunctioned, leading to a nitrogen leak that created an unsafe environment for both the gym's employees and clients.

According to eyewitness accounts, the gym staff attempted to respond quickly to the situation. However, despite their efforts, one employee, a woman in her 20s, died as a result of the malfunction. A woman in her 30s, who was receiving treatment at the time, is currently in critical condition and remains hospitalized. Her status has not been updated since the incident.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, emergency services were dispatched to the scene. A total of 150 individuals were evacuated from the gym as a precaution. Additionally, three other people who attempted to provide first aid to the victims were also treated for exposure to the nitrogen leak, although details regarding their conditions have not been disclosed.

Cryotherapy involves exposing the body to extremely low temperatures, sometimes reaching as low as -148°F, for a duration of up to three minutes. This practice has gained popularity in recent years, but experts warn that the benefits of cryotherapy have not been medically proven, calling for further research. Nitrogen, the colorless, odorless gas that leaked during the incident, is commonly utilized in these sessions to achieve the desired low temperatures. The dangers associated with cryotherapy were highlighted by a recent incident at a gym in Paris, where a malfunction resulted in a nitrogen leak, leading to a fatality and serious injuries.

However, despite the increasing trend of cryotherapy usage, medical experts have expressed concerns regarding its safety and efficacy. Critics point out that the benefits associated with cryotherapy have not been conclusively proven through rigorous scientific research, and prominent health authorities have called for further investigation into its risks and benefits. As this incident unfolds, many are questioning the regulations governing cryotherapy facilities and whether they are adequate to ensure client safety.

Authorities in Paris have launched a formal investigation into the cause of the incident, with the public prosecutor’s office leading the inquiry. The focus will likely be on determining whether there were any violations of safety protocols that led to the malfunction of the cryotherapy chamber. The investigation aims to uncover not just the sequence of events on the day of the incident, but also the practices in place at On Air gym that allowed such a tragedy to occur.

This incident is not isolated; it recalls a similar tragedy from 2015 when a woman died during a cryotherapy session at a Las Vegas spa, underscoring the risks associated with such treatments. The gym community and clients seeking these treatments may need to reevaluate the safety measures in place when choosing to participate in such extreme therapies.

In the wake of this incident, clients and gym-goers are urged to consider the potential hazards associated with cryotherapy. As investigations proceed, further information about the incident and its implications for the industry is expected to emerge, possibly prompting calls for stricter regulations to ensure client safety in venues offering cryotherapy services.