Deadly sandstorm engulfs Middle East, killing eight

A dense, unseasonal sandstorm engulfing parts of the Middle East left at least eight people dead and hundreds suffering from respiratory problems on Tuesday, as officials warned residents to stay indoors. Large parts of Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Cyprus were shrouded in a thick cloud of dust from the storm that began sweeping into the region on Monday. Refugees from Syria now living in basic conditions in Lebanon were badly affected. In Syria itself, the storm meant government warplanes and helicopters carried out fewer strikes, but at least six people died across the country from respiratory failure, a monitor said

We have had sandstorms before, but not of this intensity. It’s very rare for this time of year too and it’s covering the entire region.

A Cypriot metrological office official

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said two people had died as a result of the storm and 750 people had been hospitalised with breathing problems. Several people needed treatment for respiratory problems in Cyprus and authorities urged people to stay indoors as a thick blanket of dust enveloped the island. The dust was expected to start dissipating by Thursday, the Cypriot met office official said, but predicted it would take time before the situation returned to normal. Police distributed face masks on city streets as authorities warned people suffering from health problems, the elderly, and pregnant women to stay indoors.

Middle East sandstorm