PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC):

Cricketers from four countries participating in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup were among guests evacuated from a five-star hotel near Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, yesterday, following a gas leak.

Fire officials said at least 35 people had to be treated for various symptoms including eye irritation, cramps and skin irritation, but they were still investigating what caused the gas leak on four of the floors at the Trinidad Hilton hotel just on the outskirts of the capital.

A brief statement issued by the hotel confirmed that "fire alarms were activated and all guests and staff were immediately evacuated.

"Our staff undergoes regular training in preparation for such an eventuality. Each guest room has been checked and all guests have been identified and are safe," the statement said.

Power outage

The evacuation at the Trinidad Hilton came the same day the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica, was briefly evacuated after a fire alarm went off during a scheduled power outage.

When The Gleaner arrived at the scene, things had already returned to normal at the airport where a similar event had taken place during power outages in the city last week.

Among the guests at the Trinidad Hilton were the cricket teams from Pakistan, South Africa, Ireland and Canada, as well as ICC officials.

Rest day

Yesterday was a rest day in the warm-up matches ahead of the Cricket World Cup which officially gets under way in Jamaica on March 11.

Media reports said security staff had to knock on the doors of individual players to alert them to leave the building. The cricketers from South Africa, Canada and Ireland boarded busesand were taken away from the site while the Pakistani players opted to stay in the area.

Several fire and other emergency personnel were on the compound of the hotel treating the affected guests, some of whom had to be taken to nearby hospitals.