The case of poisoning at the C4 Gym gained new developments after the valet Severino José da Silva, aged 43, gave a statement to the police this Tuesday (10). Severino has worked at the academy for around three years as a valet, a role registered in his portfolio. Although hired as a valet, he followed orders from the owner, Celso, to open the gym and maintain the pools.
Severino claims he does not have technical qualifications to handle swimming pools or chemicals and has never received Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), a fact known to the owner. Maintenance was carried out by sending photos of the water to Celso, who responded indicating which products and quantities to use. The water in the pool had been cloudy since Thursday. On Saturday morning, Celso ordered, after seeing the cameras, a new test and application of the product, even with students in the pool.
Celso instructed the application of six to eight measures of chlorine (HIDROALL Hiperclor 60). At around 1:20 pm, Severino diluted 6 measures of chlorine in a bucket of pool water and left the container near the access to the children’s changing room, two meters from the edge, without pouring the product directly into the pool, returning to his valet station. About 10 minutes later, he noticed strange movement, a strong odor of chlorine and people feeling sick, including a father helping his son.
Severino warned the teachers to remove the students and asked for help from a Municipal Civil Guard vehicle that was passing by on the street. SAMU and the Fire Department were called, but did not show up. The victims were rescued by their own means. Severino returned to the scene, covering his face with a t-shirt due to the strong smell, and took the bucket to the outside area.
Teacher Juliana Faustino Bassetto, 27, died after taking part in a swimming class. Five other students, including a teenager, also showed symptoms of poisoning.
The owner did not answer calls during the emergency. He only responded at 2:11 pm with the message “patience”. On Sunday, Celso called Severino telling him to leave the house, as “the police are knocking on everyone’s door”. The HIDROALL Hiperclor 60 product was new and the replacement of the previous hypochlorite was a recent decision by Celso for testing.
