BAGHDAD, May 4 (Xinhua) -- At least 1,133 people suffered suffocation across several Iraqi provinces due to a recent wave of dust storms, Iraq's health ministry said Monday.
Ministry spokesperson Saif al-Badr told Xinhua that no fatalities were reported.
Al-Badr described the cases as "mild to moderate," noting that the majority of patients have already been discharged from hospitals and health centers after receiving medical treatment.
According to the official data, al-Muthanna province recorded the highest number of cases with 576, followed by Najaf with 300, and Baghdad with 200 cases.
Iraq is listed by the United Nations as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate breakdown. Dust storms have become increasingly frequent and intense in the country in recent years.
