Fatal Cryotherapy Incident in Paris: Gym Employee Dies, Client in Critical Condition

A nitrogen leak in a fitness center in Paris’ 11th arrondissement led to a tragic accident on Monday evening.

A gym employee died on Monday, April 14, following a cryotherapy session that went wrong due to a suspected nitrogen leak. A client was also critically injured and remains hospitalized. The incident occurred during the early evening and involved the accidental release of nitrogen gas, which is odorless and commonly used for its extreme cooling properties.

Emergency services were called at around 6:20 p.m. after two individuals went into cardiac arrest. Despite rescue efforts, the employee — born in 1996 — could not be revived. The second victim, a client born in 1991, was rushed to the hospital in a life-threatening condition. Approximately 150 people were inside the facility at the time, all of whom were safely evacuated.

According to a report by Le Parisien, confirmed by H24 MEDIA
Preliminary information suggests that the leak may have occurred shortly after maintenance work earlier that day, according to a police source. The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation, assigning the case to the local police station in coordination with labor inspectors.

An autopsy and toxicological tests have been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Reporters at the scene witnessed a body being transported from the facility by funeral services shortly before 10:00 p.m. The gym later issued a statement on social media: “The club will be exceptionally closed on Tuesday, April 15. We apologize for the inconvenience.”