BEIRUT: A dense 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 living in poor 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 monitoring group said.

Lebanon’s health ministry said two women died at hospitals in the eastern Bekaa Valley region because of the storm, without specifying their nationality.

“The number of cases of choking and shortness of breath caused by the sandstorm has risen to 750,” the ministry said.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2015

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