Hundreds of Iraqis hospitalised as thick sandstorm blankets country

Flights suspended and authorities urge people to stay indoors as fifth sandstorm in a month hits Iraq

Hundreds of Iraqis have been taken to hospitals with breathing problems and Baghdad airport suspended flights for several hours as a thick sandstorm blanketed the country, the fifth to engulf Iraq within a month.

Iraqi state media said most of the patients suffered respiratory issues as clinics across the country's north and west struggled to keep up with the influx. Authorities urged citizens to stay indoors.