The blue-chip index dropped over 3%, marking its worst day since January 2016. European and US stock markets also slid amid a global sell-off.
The falls came after poor US jobs and manufacturing figures and a World Trade Organization decision paving the way for $7.5bn in US tariffs on EU goods.
Analysts said these factors had sparked concern over the strength of the global economy.
On Tuesday, one of the most closely-watched US manufacturing figures, the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) index of factory activity, dropped to its lowest level since June 2009.
Fresh figures on Wednesday showing a slowdown in jobs growth in the private sector in September accelerated concerns over the US economy. » | Wednesday, October 2, 2019
