Toxic smoke and catastrophic wildfires across Indonesia allegedly resulted in the deaths of 3,560 people last month, according to a comprehensive new research report that highlights a worsening environmental and public health emergency in the region.

The study, released by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), revealed that air pollution-related fatalities surged by 42 percent in September, jumping from an estimated 3,740 deaths in August to a staggering 5,310.

Researchers from the Helsinki-based think tank found that toxic fire smoke accounted for the vast majority of casualties in heavily impacted regions such as Kalimantan and Sumatra, while chronic urban and industrial emissions drove mortality rates in areas like Java. Furthermore, an unprecedented 58 million citizens were reportedly exposed to unhealthy or hazardous air quality levels during the peak of the crisis.

Amid persistent El Nino weather conditions and severe droughts, the Indonesian authorities continue to struggle against widespread deforestation and transboundary smog that has affected neighboring nations. The Jakarta administration faces mounting criticism over its allegedly inadequate response, despite official claims that tens of thousands of personnel and emergency medical workers have been deployed.

Source: www.aljazeera.com