Huge Dust Cloud Engulfs Buildings As Turkey Capital Hit By Freak Sandstorm

A freak sandstorm hit Ankara on Saturday, the Turkish capital's mayor said, as officials said six people were injured after strong winds.

A spectacular video shared by the mayor's office showed a large beige dust cloud enveloping buildings.

Polatlı ilçemizde meydana gelen kum fırtınası nedeniyle ilçe halkımıza geçmiş olsun dileklerimi iletiyorum.

Ekiplerimiz tüm birimleriyle teyakkuzda olup kent genelinde nöbetini sürdürmektedir.

Başkent 153 hattımızdan günün her saati bize ulaşabilirsiniz. pic.twitter.com/2V1Lle7Zd1

— Mansur Yavaş (@mansuryavas06) September 12, 2020

Another video posted on social media by the Turkish General Directorate of Meteorology showed massive dust clouds hanging above homes in the capital, and lightning.

The directorate tweeted that the sandstorm and rains would continue until 1600 GMT in the capital, which since late last month has been going through a dry period and heatwave.

It later issued a warning of strong winds and sandstorms for the neighbouring of province, Kirikkale, in central Turkey.

"Six citizens were lightly wounded by objects in the air after strong winds in Polatli and surrounding districts according to initial information," Ankara governor Vasip Sahin said on Twitter.