Haze hangs heavy over Singapore
- 11 years ago
Forest fires blanketed neighbouring Singapore in record levels of hazardous smog for a fourth day Saturday (June 22) in one of Southeast Asia's worst air-pollution crises.
As Singaporeans donned face masks and pulled children from playgrounds and Malaysia closed schools in the south, the deliberately-lit fires grew bigger in some areas.
Whipped up by winds, the blazes added to fears over health problems and diplomatic tension in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Indonesia blamed eight companies, including Jakarta-based PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology, and Asia Pacific Resources International for the fires.
The Indonesian government, which said it would take action against any company responsible for the disaster, is expected to name the rest of the firms on Saturday.
As Singaporeans donned face masks and pulled children from playgrounds and Malaysia closed schools in the south, the deliberately-lit fires grew bigger in some areas.
Whipped up by winds, the blazes added to fears over health problems and diplomatic tension in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Indonesia blamed eight companies, including Jakarta-based PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology, and Asia Pacific Resources International for the fires.
The Indonesian government, which said it would take action against any company responsible for the disaster, is expected to name the rest of the firms on Saturday.