Malaysia: schools closed after hundreds poisoned by toxic waste dumped in river

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/14/malaysia-schools-closed-after-hundreds-poisoned-by-toxic-waste-dumped-in-river

Mar. 13, 2019

More than 100 schools in Malaysia have been closed after the dumping of toxic waste into a river caused hundreds of people to fall ill, including many children, authorities said.

A lorry is believed to have dumped the waste in southern 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.

More than 500 people, many of them school pupils, have received medical treatment after inhaling the fumes, with more than 160 admitted to hospital, according to official news agency Bernama.

•••••