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Children play on the beach of Las Ventanas in the Chilean industrial region of Valparaíso: the sulfur dioxide levels were five times the permitted maximum
Photo: PABLO VERA / AFP
At least 75 people have suffered from gas inhalation in Chile due to high levels of pollution from heavy industry.
In the western towns of Quintero and Puchuncaví, sulfur dioxide levels were briefly five times higher than usual on Monday, Quintero Mayor Rubén Gutiérrez said on Tuesday.
More than 50 children and more than 25 teachers were "affected by the effects of the toxic gases".
"The communities of Quintero and Puchuncaví have tolerated this for decades, but this has to end," Gutiérrez said.
According to the health authorities of the Valparaíso region, those affected complained of symptoms such as headaches, nausea, itchy eyes and throat, difficulty breathing and a metallic taste in the mouth.
They were examined and then released to go home.
Twelve children and four adults were taken to the hospital.
The regional government declared the environmental emergency in Quintero and Puchuncaví.
Schools in both cities were closed.
Mining, oil, cement, gas and chemical companies are located in the two towns of Quintero and Puchuncaví, which local media and the environmental protection organization Greenpeace have dubbed »Chiles Chernobyl«.
In 1958, the Chilean government decided to transform the region into an industrial center.
Pollution has increased significantly since then.
The governor of Valparaíso, Rodrigo Mundaca, called for those responsible to be held accountable in view of the poisoning.
jso/AFP/dpa