ISTANBUL

Australia on Monday closed dozens of schools over health concerns due to colored play sand being possibly contaminated with asbestos, local broadcaster ABC reported.

The government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) closed 70 public schools on Monday, after several colored sand products were recalled by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Twenty-five public schools in the capital Canberra will remain closed on Tuesday, while dozens will reopen or partially open.

The development came after several schools were fully or partially closed on Friday following a warning over asbestos risks in children's sand.

The government had earlier informed parents that it might take several days for licensed asbestos contractors to clean all the schools and for students and teachers to return to classrooms.

In a statement, ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry mentioned that specialist asbestos contractors had been working since Friday to prepare the schools for reopening.

"Schools and classrooms will reopen as soon as possible after they are certified by licensed asbestos contractors," she said, adding: "This is likely to take a number of days."

Separately, more than 20 schools across New Zealand were closed after multiple brands of colored play sand were found to contain asbestos, according to the NZ Herald.