Danish embassy workers smoked out in Moscow

Workers at the Danish embassy in Moscow may be put on rotating shifts, as fires continue to ravage the heat wave-struck city. Those living and working in and around the Russian capital are being warned about the dangers of smoke inhalation. Danish embassy workers have so far been allowed to stay at home, while their families have been advised to leave for areas such as St Petersburg and Smolensk.

“We are cutting back to a skeleton presence and we are considering a rotation system,” said embassy spokesman and Consultant Poul Jacob Erikstrup in an interview with Politiken. “Judging by the smoke conditions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday – and there is still a lot of smoke in town – we are approaching the point at which some should leave and get some fresh air.”

On Sunday, 50 fires were reported to be burning around Moscow, mainly in bogs which have been dried out due to the intense heat. According to health authorities, harmful substances contained in the smoke were almost seven times above the acceptable level in the city over the weekend. A further 830 fires were burning across the country as a whole.

Those affected by the smoke may experience breathing difficulties, voice changes and eye irritation. There are currently five Danes working at the Moscow embassy, along with a handful of Russian employees who have chosen to keep working despite the conditions.