JOHOR BARU: The chemical pollution crisis at Sungai Kim Kim, which began last Thursday, worsened last night, as toxic fumes forced dozens more people to seek treatment at hospitals in the area.
According to Bernama, the number of victims suffering breathing difficulties and vomiting from exposure to the chemical pollution, which had been mysteriously dumped in the river, rose to 207 as of 11pm last night.
Most of those affected in the latest incident are students of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Taman Pasir Putih and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Taman Pasir Putih which are situated near the polluted river.
“As of 11pm (on Monday), 29 people were sent to health clinics for examination, while 77 victims were referred to the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI).
“Of the total, 35 were admitted for further treatment, with four being warded in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU),” Johor Health director Dr Selahuddeen Abd Aziz said in a statement here, last night.
He added that 44 victims of the first incident on Thursday are still at the HSI, with six still in the ICU.
Dr Selahuddeen said both SK Taman Pasir Putih and SMK Taman Pasir Putih have been closed by the authorities.
He also advised members of the public to avoid the affected areas near Sungai Kim Kim and Pasir Gudang until further notice.