Heavy smoke caused by the burning of farmland has smothered Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital, and its surrounding region for days, leading to traffic accidents and closure of ports and airports.
The smoke clouds have caused traffic accidents, flight delays and paralyzed ports in Buenos Aires, La Plata, Zarate and Campana, officials said Thursday. Main highways out of Buenos Aires have been shut due to low visibility.
Officials blamed the smoke on farmers burning fields to renew farmland in the Delta del Parana region.
On Wednesday, at least three people died and 14 were injured on highway 9 in a 14-vehicle crash that occurred due to low visibility.
The smoke led to a surge in people seeking hospital treatment for respiratory and eye irritations. The health services are on alert to attend any emergency that may arise due to the high levels of carbon monoxide caused by the smoke, the Buenos Aires' mayorship said.
Argentina's Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo has announced legal action against the land owners.
Buenos Aires residents hope a wind change will blow the smoke away and clear the region's skies.
The smoke cloud has also reached Uruguay. In Montevideo, the Uruguayan capital, 223 km east from Buenos Aires, the smoke caused flight delays and residents were wondering at first if the fire was nearby.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article