Iran freak sandstorm kills four, plunges 50,000 homes into darkness

The freak weather struck on Monday evening as people were getting off work, sending residents dashing for cover as debris swept across streets and snapped trees.

The freak weather struck at 5.10pm, sending residents dashing for cover as debris swept across streets and snapped trees. EPA

To see video of sandstorm, click here

TEHRAN // A massive sandstorm and record winds killed at least four people in Tehran on Monday, plunging the Iranian capital into darkness, knocking out power supplies, damaging buildings and causing massive disruption.

The freak weather struck at 5.10pm (4.50pm UAE time), sending residents dashing for cover as debris swept across streets and snapped trees.

State media attributed the fatalities to falling trees and reported winds of 110 kilometres per hour.

It also warned Tehranis to stay indoors.

Amin Sabernia, Iran’s chief emergency official, announced the deaths and said at least 27 people were injured, 10 of them in a road accident when the gloom suddenly descended.

Two people injured in the storm were in critical condition, reported state media.

Almost 7,000 emergency workers were deployed within the hour, officials said.

Ahad Vazifeh, who is in charge of government weather forecasts, warned of bad weather until Wednesday.

“This is like an apocalyptic Hollywood movie. I’m scared,” a woman running into a shop in the capital’s central business district to escape the gales said seconds after the storm hit.

A man inside the same building said: “I’ve never seen anything like this. I was afraid it was an omen of things to come.”

Residents of earthquake-prone Iran usually make such comments when they fear a strong tremor is imminent.

After a 15-minute period of gloom, the sandstorm began to lift and rains lashed down amid strong winds.

Pictures posted on social media showed a giant sand cloud approaching the city, before it turned dark and the outside temperature plunged from 33°C to 18°C.

An electricity official quoted on ISNA news agency said power had been lost in at least 50,000 homes.

Flights out of Tehran were delayed, Fars news agency said.

Internet and telephone services were interrrupted, with lines going down before returning intermittently.

About 90 minutes after the initial storm, the winds appeared to ease and more cars were seen on the streets, although many people opted to stay inside office buildings.

Road monitoring services showed large areas of Tehran gridlocked shortly as the storm hit as people were headed home during rush-hour traffic.

* Agency France-Presse