What's happened
A cryotherapy session at On Air gym in Paris resulted in the death of a 29-year-old employee and left a 34-year-old client in critical condition. An investigation is underway following a suspected nitrogen leak that may have caused oxygen depletion in the chamber. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of cryotherapy treatments.
What's behind the headline?
Safety Concerns in Cryotherapy
- The incident highlights ongoing safety issues associated with cryotherapy, particularly the risks of nitrogen exposure in enclosed spaces.
- Experts have long warned about the potential for oxygen depletion, as noted by the European Industrial Gases Association in 2018.
- The popularity of cryotherapy among athletes and celebrities may overshadow the need for rigorous safety standards and research into its efficacy.
Investigative Implications
- The Paris prosecutor's office has launched an investigation, which may lead to stricter regulations for cryotherapy facilities.
- This incident could prompt a broader discussion on the regulation of wellness treatments, especially those involving extreme conditions.
- The outcome of the investigation may influence public perception and usage of cryotherapy in the future.
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, the client has been declared brain-dead following the incident, while an autopsy revealed that the deceased employee suffocated due to a lack of oxygen. The NY Post reported that three other individuals who attempted to assist were hospitalized, and 150 people were evacuated from the gym. The Guardian emphasized the need for further scrutiny of cryotherapy practices, citing previous incidents, including a 2015 case where a woman died in a Las Vegas spa due to freezing temperatures. This collective reporting underscores the urgent need for safety measures in cryotherapy facilities.
How we got here
The incident occurred on April 15, 2025, when a nitrogen leak during a cryotherapy session led to the suffocation of a gym employee. Cryotherapy, which uses extreme cold for therapeutic purposes, has faced scrutiny over safety concerns, particularly regarding nitrogen use.
Go deeper
- What are the safety regulations for cryotherapy?
- How does cryotherapy work and what are its risks?
- What has been the public response to this incident?
Common question
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What Happened in the Fatal Cryotherapy Incident in Paris?
A tragic incident at a cryotherapy session in Paris has raised serious concerns about the safety of these treatments. With one employee dead and another client in critical condition, many are left wondering what went wrong and how such incidents can be prevented in the future. Below are some common questions regarding this alarming event and the safety standards surrounding cryotherapy.
More on these topics
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,150,271 residents as of 2020, in an area of 105 square kilometres.
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Cryotherapy, sometimes known as cold therapy, is the local or general use of low temperatures in medical therapy. Cryotherapy may be used to treat a variety of tissue lesions. The most prominent use of the term refers to the surgical treatment, specifical