A terminal at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was evacuated Monday after a carbon dioxide leak sickened four people.
A utility room in the airport approximately 200 feet from the Terminal 8 Baggage Area began leaking carbon dioxide, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
Due to a hazardous materials investigation by @LAFD terminal 8 is being cleared of passengers. Please follow instructions from first responders and follow us for updates.
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) October 31, 2022
Four adults (three males and one female) suddenly became sick while working in or near the utility room, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). One of the victims, a man in his 50s, “was found pulseless and non-breathing inside the utility room,” the statement continued. (RELATED: Russian Hackers Take On Major US Airports In Cyberattacks: REPORT)
Paramedics from the LAFD gave the man CPR and “advanced life support” and then brought him to a local hospital, where his condition went from “grave to critical,” according to the fire department.
The victims said they heard a popping noise before the gas was released.
No airport passengers were directly affected by the leak, according to the LAFD.
“LAFD responders are utilizing portable fans to further ventilate the immediate area to outside air,” according to the statement.
FLIGHT UPDATE: United flights that were already in the air headed to LA will continue to land as planned. Others that had not departed will do so after 10 am today. Check your flight status with the airline directly for the best information.
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) October 31, 2022
Inbound United Airlines flights that “were already in the air headed to LA will continue to land as planned. Others that had not departed will do so after 10 am today. Check your flight status with the airline directly for the best information,” LAX’s official account wrote to Twitter.