
The streets were strangely empty Monday in the Chilean capital Santiago, where air pollution has forced authorities to declare an environmental emergency in the middle of the Copa America.
With 40 percent of the city's vehicles ordered off the roads and 3,000 businesses closed, the normally bustling city of 6.7 million people was unusually traffic-free, despite hosting the South American football championship.
But beneath a thick layer of fog, commuters crowded onto buses and subways to get to work after their normal rides were sidelined by the emergency decree.
Health Minister Carmen Castillo called on Santiago's population to "take care of children and the elderly" and recommended residents avoid going out unless absolutely necessary.
The pollution emergency -- the city's first in 16 years -- will be in place until 9:00 pm. (0000 GMT Tuesday). But with no improvement in air quality forecast for the next three days, it could be extended.
No Copa America matches were scheduled for Santiago Monday or Tuesday.
But most of the teams taking part in the tournament are training in Santiago, and the quarter-finals clash between the hosts and Uruguay is to be held there Wednesday.
Organizers have already said they will not reschedule any matches because of air pollution.
Santiago, which sits in an enclosed valley, has had little rain to wash away the pollution, and unseasonably warm winter weather is exacerbating matters.
The city of Temuco in southern Chile, another of the eight cities hosting the Copa America, also faces pollution concerns. Authorities there declared an environmental emergency last month because of air pollution caused by wood-burning heaters.
A government study in 2014 found that 4,000 people a year in Chile die prematurely of cardiopulmonary diseases linked to air pollution.
Other studies have shown significant increases in respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma linked to air pollution in Santiago.
Sports medicine specialists say the smog could affect the performance of the high-octane footballers in Chile for the continental championship -- the tournament boasts stars like Lionel Messi of Argentina and James Rodriguez of Colombia.
The Copa America runs through July 4, when Santiago hosts the final match, and is expected to draw some 750,000 fans.
Source: AFP
GMT 18:11 2017 Wednesday ,27 December
Foreign tourist numbers up 23% in Tunisia in 2017GMT 18:14 2017 Monday ,25 December
Riyadh tourism events attract over 200,000 visitors in 2017GMT 10:29 2017 Monday ,25 December
Abu Dhabi welcomes 443,000 hotel guests to record 16 percent rise during NovemberGMT 09:57 2017 Sunday ,24 December
World's largest amphibious aircraft takes off in ChinaGMT 18:03 2017 Saturday ,23 December
Four bidders vie for Austria's bankrupt Niki airlineGMT 11:08 2017 Friday ,22 December
First Ryanair strike sees delays, but no cancellations in GermanyGMT 18:06 2017 Saturday ,16 December
Israel strike to stop flights at Ben Gurion airportGMT 17:35 2017 Thursday ,14 December
TUI says new direction paying off despite profit slump
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor