Massive sandstorm hits Southern Iraq - in pictures

  • A wheelchair-bound pedestrian is helped across a road in low visibility as a dust storm blows across in Basra, southern Iraq. All photos: AFP
    A wheelchair-bound pedestrian is helped across a road in low visibility as a dust storm blows across in Basra, southern Iraq. All photos: AFP
  • A paramedic helps a patient to use an oxygen respirator as a dust storm blows in Najaf, central Iraq
    A paramedic helps a patient to use an oxygen respirator as a dust storm blows in Najaf, central Iraq
  • A man walks along the median of a road past moving vehicles in low visibility conditions in Basra
    A man walks along the median of a road past moving vehicles in low visibility conditions in Basra
  • A tricycle cart driver and a passenger wait in traffic in low visibility as dust storm blows in Basra. About 1,500 people were sent to hospitals with respiratory problems
    A tricycle cart driver and a passenger wait in traffic in low visibility as dust storm blows in Basra. About 1,500 people were sent to hospitals with respiratory problems
  • A man sits on the bank of the Shatt Al Arab waterway as a dust storm blows across Basra
    A man sits on the bank of the Shatt Al Arab waterway as a dust storm blows across Basra
  • A man struggles to breathe in a dust storm in Najaf
    A man struggles to breathe in a dust storm in Najaf
  • Pedestrians risk crossing a road in low visibility in Basra
    Pedestrians risk crossing a road in low visibility in Basra