Samarinda infant dies from respiratory distress amid forest fire haze

A 14-month-old infant has died in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, after suffering from severe respiratory distress. The death occurred following exposure to thick haze caused by forest and land fires (karhutla) in the surrounding residential areas.

The child was hospitalized on October 14 and placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as their condition worsened. Despite medical efforts, the infant passed away on October 15. Family members reported that the smoke from the fires was so dense that it entered their home, enveloping the neighborhood in a thick layer of haze.

The victim's grandfather, Sarno, expressed deep concern regarding the impact of the smoke on vulnerable populations, specifically infants and children. The family has called for an end to land-clearing fires to prevent similar tragedies in the future.