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Residents Urged to Stay Inside as Smog Shrouds Singapore
The smog in Singapore is worse than ever according to health officials there. The toxic haze is the result of smoke that’s drifting over from fires raging in neighboring Indonesia.
Office workers wearing masks wait to cross a road at a junction in Singapore on June 20, 2013 (Photo:Reuters)
David Leveille
If you were in Singapore on Friday, you'd be gasping for air.
The smog's worse than ever according to health officials there and may be sticking around for weeks.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged people to remain indoors.
The toxic haze is the result of smoke that's drifting over from smouldering fires in the peat swamp forests on Indonesia's Sumatra island.
The BBC's Ashleigh Nghiem has been out talking with commuters in Singapore about the hazardous smog conditions.
She says many residents are now wearing face masks, or trying to leave the city.
Others who are more vulnerable to respiratory problems including children and the elderly are seeking emergency medical care.