Pekanbaru, Riau (Antara) - The Ministry of Social Affairs will provide compensation for a haze victim who died in Riau province, according to National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Head Syamsul Maarif. "The amount of the compensation will be decided later, after holding coordination discussions with the local government," the BNPB chairman said here on Thursday. Syamsul Maarif made the remarks during a press conference held at a haze Task Force Command Post at Roesmin Nurjadin airport. Earlier, it was reported that only a small number of patients had been admitted to Selasih Regional Public Hospital (RUSD) in Pangkalan Kerinci, Pelalawn last month. Yet, one of them was reported to have died after suffering from haze-related illness. The identity of the victim has yet to be disclosed, and task force workers said earlier that the victim had lung problems, possibly causing his death during the period of smoke-induced haze. The BNPB noted that the incident was an indicator that haze could trigger death, which was why the government continued to make efforts to prevent haze by deploying its full strength to extinguish hotspots from forest and land fires. On Monday morning, thick haze from land fires covered Dumai City of Riau Province, decreasing visibility to 50 meters. "The quality of air on Monday morning was at a very dangerous level for people and the environment, with the Air Pollution Standard Index reaching above 700 PSI. The incident could easily be the worst haze disaster in 2014," stated Chief of Health Sub-official for Dumai City Marjoko Santoso. (*)

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Editor : Tunggul Susilo


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