Residents of the municipal districts of La Canela and Hato del Yaque, in the southern part of the Santiago province, denounced the constant fires that have been affecting the landfills located in both districts for more than two days. causing intense smoke which, they claim, is harming the health and quality of life of hundreds of families.
The community members explained that the smoke generated by the fires invades homes, streets and public spaces, causing breathing difficulties, eye irritation and other discomforts, especially among children, older adults, and people with preexisting health conditions.
Given the situation, they made an urgent call to the municipal and environmental authorities to intervene and manage to put out the fire which keeps several fire sources active in solid waste deposits.
Likewise, they asked the district directors to maintain a surveillance permanent in the landfills, while pointing out the so-called “divers”, people who search for recyclable materials among the waste, as presumed responsible for starting fires to facilitate the extraction of metals and other valuable objects.
González Toribio, community leader of Cinnamondescribed the situation as unsustainable due to the magnitude of the pollution generated by the smoke.
“We cannot remain within our houses. We have to leave and return when the smoke decreases,” said the community member.
While, Jose Francisco Penain charge of the La Canela landfill, attributed the burning to people looking for recyclable materials.
“That has to be their thing, because who else could it be?” he said, referring to the so-called ‘divers’ who operate in the landfill.
Grief He also recognized that smoke represents a risk to both workers and residents of nearby communities.
“It’s a dangerous situation. The smoke affects everyone,” he said.
During a tour carried out by this means at the La Canela landfill, it was observed dozens of men of Haitian nationality removing waste and debris in search of recyclable materials, mainly metals.
According to information obtained at the scene, the fire would have originated in the area where solid waste from the municipal district of Hato del Yaque.
Meanwhile, Jorge Caraballo, resident of Hato del Yaque, stated that the situation worsens when the wind blows in a north-south direction, since the smoke moves with greater intensity towards inhabited areas.
“The problem worsens depending on the direction of the wind. The authorities must investigate who or who “They are causing these fires,” he said.
So far, the competent authorities have not offered an official version of the causes of the incident. This media tried to get a reaction from the responsible organizationsbut it was not possible to obtain statements.
Meanwhile, the smoke continues to affect the residents of La Canela and Hato del Yaque, who demand immediate actions to avoid further damage to health and the environment.
