Sandstorm Closes Suez Canal
United Press International
CAIRO —
A freak sandstorm that reduced visibility to less than 100 yards forced authorities today to halt traffic in the Suez Canal, stranding 51 ships including four British military vessels in the waterway, officials said.
Winds up to 60 m.p.h. laden with dust also forced the closure of all desert highways as well as Alexandria harbor on the Mediterranean and the diversion to other airports of at least five airliners that were scheduled to land at Cairo Airport.
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