(Jakarta, 9th) – A landfill in the suburbs of Indonesia’s capital Jakarta has been burning for more than a week, shrouding the surrounding areas in large amounts of toxic smoke and causing respiratory illnesses in hundreds of local residents.
According to a BBC report, the Jatiwaringin landfill fire started on the 30th of last month. Although authorities have deployed helicopters, water trucks, and drones to put out the fire, the blaze has continued for eight days and spread over more than 15 hectares, forcing hundreds of nearby residents to evacuate.
Local health authorities stated that the fire has produced large quantities of toxic smoke, leading to air pollution and a significant increase in local cases of respiratory disease. As of now, health officials have examined 234 residents experiencing respiratory problems, of whom 72 have been diagnosed with acute respiratory infections.
Environmental monitoring in Indonesia showed that air quality around the landfill once reached hazardous levels, although fortunately, the degree of pollution has eased somewhat in the past few days.
Officials have not yet announced the cause of the fire. Local environmental groups believe it was triggered by the buildup of large amounts of methane gas produced during the decomposition of garbage.
Local health authorities stated that the fire has produced large quantities of toxic smoke, leading to air pollution and a significant increase in local cases of respiratory disease. As of now, health officials have examined 234 residents experiencing respiratory problems, of whom 72 have been diagnosed with acute respiratory infections.
Environmental monitoring in Indonesia showed that air quality around the landfill once reached hazardous levels, although fortunately, the degree of pollution has eased somewhat in the past few days.
Officials have not yet announced the cause of the fire. Local environmental groups believe it was triggered by the buildup of large amounts of methane gas produced during the decomposition of garbage.