Coal-powered heating covers Chinese city in smog

A city in north-east China has virtually shut down after thick pollution rendered many inhabitants effectively blind.

Visibility in the city of Harian was less than 10 metres this morning, a day after the city turned on its coal-powered heating system for the winter.

The city's official news website admitted that the pollution meant residents could not even see their own fingers in front of them.

Another resident said they were unable to see the person with whom they were holding hands.