Video: Singapore chokes in 'potentially deadly' smog from Indonesia fires
Singapore has released a warning to residents to stay indoors after the smoky haze covering the city caused by fires in Indonesia reaches "hazardous" levels. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Officials in Singapore are calling upon Jakarta to do more to stop the fires, which were reportedly started by plantation owners and farmers to clear land at a low cost. Hundreds of acres of peatland are thought to be ablaze.
According to the Daily Mail, Singapore's Environment Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, wrote on his Facebook page: "This is now the worst haze that Singapore has ever faced.
"No country or corporation has the right to pollute the air at the expense of Singaporeans."
It is believed the air pollution levels have reached a "life threatening" high, being potentially deadly for the elderly and the ill. Singapore's smog index hit a critical level of 400 at 11am on Friday, making it a hazardous all-time record.
The last air pollutant index high was 226, recorded back in September 1997.
Indonesia's national disaster agency said two helicopters with cloud-seeding equipment were sent from Jakarta and Borneo Island to Riau province to help fight the fires on Friday morning.
According to the Daily Telegraph, agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said: "Hopefully, we will be able to create artificial rain today."
Related articles
Ellie Goulding shares saucy sunbathing in Singapore snap
Drunk British banker dies after jumping off rooftop bar into Singapore Harbour
