Malaysia shuts 111 schools after hundreds of children are poisoned by hazardous fumes emitted by toxic waste dumped in river
- A truck is believed to have dumped the waste in the south of Johor state last week
- Three men were arrested over the toxic waste dumping, with one of them expected to soon be charged in court for breaking environmental laws
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More than 100 schools in Malaysia have been closed a week after toxic waste was dumped into a nearby river, causing hundreds of people including scores of schoolchildren to fall ill, authorities said.
A truck is believed to have dumped the waste in the south of Johor state last week, sending hazardous fumes across a wide area and causing those affected to display symptoms of poisoning such as nausea and vomiting.
Some 500 people, many of them school pupils, have received medical treatment after inhaling the fumes, with over 160 admitted to hospital, according to official news agency Bernama.
It was unclear what type of poisonous gas had been emitted near the industrial town of Pasir Gudang.
Education Minister Maszlee Malik initially ordered the closure of 43 schools in the area on Wednesday, but later announced that figure had more than doubled.
“The ministry of education has decided to close all 111 schools in the Pasir Gudang area immediately,” he said in a statement. “The education ministry is requesting that all parties take precautions.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the education minister said in a Facebook post the situation was “getting more critical”.
Dzulkefly Ahmad, Malaysia’s health minister, advised the public on Wednesday to take preventive measures such as wearing safety masks.
“Avoid being in the polluted area and seek medical treatment immediately if you have nausea, breathing difficulties, vomiting, eyesore and chest pain,” he said.
Three men were arrested earlier this week over the toxic waste dumping.
One is expected to be charged in court soon and could face five years in jail if found guilty of breaking environmental protection laws.
The escalating situation led the state chapter of the Islamist PAS party to accuse the Johor government of having a weak response. It urged the authorities to declare a state of emergency in Pasir Gudang.
“Although the statement by Johor Menteri Besar [head of government] Datuk Osman Sapian late yesterday afternoon said the situation was still under control, the Johor PAS liaison body found the situation to be increasingly disturbing as there are still residents being rushed to treatment centres,” said Johor PAS commissioner Abdullah Husin in a statement on Thursday.
Additional reporting by Reuters
