Smog-ridden Mexico City suspends school classes due to pollution

Thursday, 16 May 2019 09:31

Schools in and around Mexico City have been ordered to shut down on Thursday due to rising levels of air pollution.

In a statement, the education ministry said all public and private schools in the Mexico City metropolitan area will be closed, and urged children to remain indoors.

Two of the city's main universities also suspended classes in the metropolitan area on Thursday.

On Tuesday, authorities declared an environmental emergency in response to a sharp rise in air pollution caused by brush fires.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called the situation "highly regrettable".

More from International News

Rescuers pull four from flooded cave in Laos

Rescuers pulled four people from a flooded cave in Laos on Saturday, Thai volunteers said, hours after another man was brought out late on Friday.
Zambia steps up Ebola screening as neighbouring Congo sees cases rise

Zambia has investigated and cleared two suspected cases of Ebola as it steps up screening and surveillance for the deadly viral disease following an outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Pentagon chief says US ready to restart strikes on Iran if no deal

The US is ready to restart attacks on Iran if a deal cannot be reached, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday, as negotiators from Washington and Tehran worked to bridge major differences blocking an agreement.
Flights briefly halted at Munich Airport over possible drone sighting

Flights were halted for about an hour at Munich Airport in southern Germany on Saturday morning after two pilots reported seeing a drone, airport authorities and police said, confirming initial reports by German media.