JAKARTA: An Indonesian province at the heart of a South-East Asian smog crisis last year has declared a state of emergency after being blanketed in thick haze from forest fires, officials said.
Thousands have fallen ill, transport has been disrupted and schools closed after days of fires in Riau province on Sumatra island, where blazes are deliberately lit every year to clear land for palm oil and wood pulp plantations.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
