PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians in the areas affected by the wildfires in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions issued by local authorities.
Malaysia's Foreign Ministry, widely known as Wisma Putra, in a media advisory on Monday, said the Malaysian embassy in Brasilia, Brazil, is actively monitoring the situation, which has severely impacted the state, with thick smoke spreading across large parts of the region.
It said the Sao Paolo authorities have declared a state of emergency in 45 municipalities.
"The Foreign Ministry will continue to closely monitor these developments and provide updates when necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of all Malaysians in the affected regions," it said.
It said Malaysians requiring consular assistance can contact the Malaysian embassy in Brasilia at SHIS QI 05, Chácara 62, Lago Sul, CEP: 71615-904, Brasília - DF, Brasilia, Brazil, or reach the embassy by telephone at + 55 61 3248 5008 / + 55 61 3248 6215 or email at mwbrasilia@kln.gov.my / br.cons@kln.gov.my.
The German Press Agency (dpa), in an earlier report from Rio de Janeiro on Monday, quoted authorities saying that over 15,000 professional and volunteer firefighters, supported by military aircraft, are battling the flames, and two individuals have been arrested for arson.– Bernama