A massive sandstorm hit Ankara, Turkey, on Saturday, September 12, 2020, leaving at least six people injured. Meteorological authorities said the phenomenon likely occurred due to the lack of rain in the area.
Footage captured the huge cloud of dust as it slowly ripped through its path, turning day skies dark. The storm hit the district of Polatli first, before engulfing the entire city.
According to Polatli mayor Mursel Yildizkaya, the whole district was covered in dust. Lightning strikes triggered small-scale fires in some areas, but the blazes were eventually contained.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Ankara governor Vasip Sahin said six people sustained minor injuries after being hit by "flying debris", initial reports showed.
Sahin added that aside from this, there are no immediate reports of loss of life or property damage.
Regional meteorological authorities stated that the sandstorm was probably due to the lack of rain in the area.
The weather closes in as a sandstorm sweeps over Polatli, in Ankara in Turkey [DHA/AFP] pic.twitter.com/hXHKOGuzbg
— Al Jazeera Weather (@AJEWeather) September 14, 2020
Huge dust cloud envelops building as it sweeps over Turkey's capital Ankara on Saturday. Six people were injured in the freak sandstorm. pic.twitter.com/xQj443fuON
— China News 中国新闻网 (@Echinanews) September 14, 2020
Featured image credit: Infotainment/YouTube
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