Paris Cryotherapy Incident: Woman Declared Brain Dead After Fatal Gas Leak

One employee dead, a customer in critical condition after an apparent nitrogen leak in a Paris gym. An investigation is ongoing.

A tragic accident unfolded on Monday, April 14, in a fitness center located in Paris’ 11th arrondissement. During a cryotherapy session, a suspected nitrogen leak caused two women to suffer severe asphyxiation. One, a young employee in her twenties, was found dead on site. The second, a 34-year-old customer, was rushed to hospital in critical condition. She is now brain dead, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office, speaking to H24 MEDIA, following a report by Le Parisien.

Suspected Nitrogen Leak in Cryotherapy Chamber

Early findings suggest that a sudden release of gas within the cryotherapy chamber led to a dramatic drop in oxygen levels. The autopsy report for the deceased employee concluded she died from “asphyxia in an oxygen-deprived environment,” supporting the hypothesis of an accidental nitrogen leak—an angle investigators had already begun exploring.

The second victim was discovered unconscious at the scene and transported by emergency services to the CHU hospital in Grenoble. Despite medical intervention and being placed in an induced coma, she was declared brain dead on Thursday.

A Popular but Risky Practice

Cryotherapy—exposing the body to extremely low temperatures, sometimes as low as -110°C—is gaining popularity in wellness centers and gyms. Originally developed to help professional athletes with recovery, it’s now widely used to alleviate chronic pain, inflammation, or simply as a wellness trend.

However, this practice is not without risk. A 2019 report from France’s national health research institute, Inserm, warned of potential safety issues, especially related to the use of liquid nitrogen in enclosed cryotherapy booths.

Ongoing Investigation

A formal investigation has been launched by the Paris prosecutor’s office and is currently being led by the police division of the 11th arrondissement. Authorities described the inquiry as “particularly technical,” given the complex equipment and environmental factors involved.

In a public statement, the court urged the media to respect the privacy of the victims’ families, noting they are currently “overwhelmed by media inquiries” and requesting that they be allowed to “grieve in peace.”