A huge sandstorm and record winds killed at least four people in Tehran on June 2, plunging Iran’s capital into darkness during rush hour and forcing thousands to run for cover.
The freak weather struck at 5:10 pm, knocking down trees and sweeping debris across streets and into the windscreens of cars as people headed home from work.
WILD WEATHER
State media reported 110 kilometre per hour winds at the peak of the storm. Power supplies were knocked out in at least 50,000 homes, officials said. The winds also smashed windows and caused telecommunication towers to topple and masonry to fall off buildings.
Forecasters on state television initially warned people in Tehran to stay indoors, shortly before the ISNA news agency reported that the fatalities had been caused by falling trees.