Malaysia toxic waste closes 34 schools

Malaysia closed 34 schools after hundreds of people fell ill when toxic waste was dumped into a river. The education minister yesterday said the situation was getting worse. A lorry is believed to have dumped the waste in southern Johor state last week, sending toxic fumes across a wide area and causing nausea and vomiting. About 300 people, many of them children, were treated after inhaling the fumes and scores were admitted to hospital, official news agency Bernama reported. Reports said it was unclear what type of poisonous gas was emitted near the industrial town of Pasir Gudang. A man suspected to have been involved in dumping the waste will be charged in court today, the environment minister said.