Moscow’s death rate doubles

Moscow’s mortality rate has reportedly doubled since smoke from wildfires blanketed the Russian capital with a toxic cloud.

Health officials have not revealed the exact total, but they say that twice as many bodies in the city’s morgue since the start of the baking temperatures.

The sick and elderly are most vulnerable to respiratory problems and Muscovites are being warned to wear masks and stay indoors, away from the smog.

Carbon monoxide levels exceed twice what is deemed safe.

Weather forecasters hope a change in wind direction will start shifting the smog.

‘‘We’re waiting for south easterly winds to change this afternoon to the south or south westerly direction. The atmosphere should also be a little better. The air in Moscow should also be cleaner this evening due to winds from the west,’‘ one weather expert said.

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