At least 171 people were hospitalized on Saturday because of the thick dust storm in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, Xinhua reported citing official IRNA news agency.
"Out of 810 people affected by the respiratory issues and registered in the clinics of Sistan and Baluchestan because of the dust storm, 171 people have been hospitalized," the province's Crisis Management Center said.
Abolrahman Shahnavazi, head of the province's Crisis Management Center, told IRNA that these people also suffered from sight and heart problems because of the polluted dusty air.
"So far, 7,852 bottles of mineral water and 906 parcels of food have been distributed by the Red Crescent Society among the regional people," Shahnavazi was quoted as saying.
