Beijing pollution at hazardous level

Beijing suffered its worst air pollution of the year yesterday, with monitoring sites throughout the city reporting extremely hazardous levels of pollutants.

City authorities issued a rare orange alert, the second highest of four danger levels. Schools suspended outdoor activities and polluting factories were required to reduce production.

Visibility was cut to several hundred metres, as buildings receded into thick smog. People complained of a smoky, pungent odour, and many wore tight-fitting face masks.