Teacher Juliana Faustino Bassetto, 27, died after a swimming lesson at C4 Gym in Parque São Lucas, east zone of São Paulo, on February 7, 2026, due to suspected chlorine intoxication from improper handling. Six other people fell ill in the incident, and police indicted three gym partners for eventual dolous homicide. The probe highlights failures in pool maintenance, lacking operating permits.
The incident took place during a swimming lesson at C4 Gym in Parque São Lucas, east zone of São Paulo, on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Juliana Faustino Bassetto, 27, joined the class with her husband, Vinicius de Oliveira, when students began feeling discomfort. The couple went to Santa Helena Hospital in Santo André on their own, but Juliana did not survive. Her husband remains hospitalized in serious condition, as do two other victims in the ICU.
Other affected individuals include a minor taken to Vila Alpina Hospital with breathing difficulties and lungs showing 'bubbles' on tomography, indicating inflammation; a 29-year-old woman admitted to the ICU at São Luiz Tatuapé Hospital with headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea; one student in a regular bed; and another with unspecified symptoms. Security videos captured the students' desperation as they were removed from the pool and Juliana being taken to the reception, coughing and dizzy.
The main cause was a chlorine mixture prepared by handyman Severino José da Silva, 43, in a bucket left near the pool edge, without being poured into the water. Severino, hired as a valet but with extra duties, gave a statement on February 10 at the 42nd Police District (Parque São Lucas) and said he received WhatsApp instructions from one of the partners.
On February 11, three partners — Bertolo Cruz, Celso Bertolo Cruz, and Cezar Miquelof Terração — were indicted for qualified homicide with eventual intent, according to delegate Alexandre Bento. Initially, the investigation pointed to culpable homicide, but evidence shows they assumed the risk. The gym lacked pool operating permits and had inadequate ventilation, with reports of cloudy water and strong odor.
A mother filed a police report that day against the gym, claiming her 5-year-old daughter, enrolled in January 2025 to treat respiratory issues, suffered nosebleeds and ear pain after classes, linked to water quality by a medical certificate. She complained about insufficient ventilation and exposed wires.
C4 Gym's management expressed regret in a statement, saying they provided immediate support to victims and are fully cooperating with authorities. Severino's defense offered condolences and avoided comments due to the process's confidentiality.
In context, there is no national norm requiring storage of water quality documents for gym pools, but São Paulo has a 2015 municipal ordinance demanding daily pH and free residual chlorine records, kept for six months.
