Four Killed in Tehran Sandstorm

At least four people were killed and dozens injured in Tehran on Monday when an unprecedented sandstorm and record winds hit the city, Iranian news agencies reported.

The freak weather also knocked out power in 50,000 homes, said an electricity official quoted on the ISNA agency.

According to Amin Saberinia, Iran's chief emergency official, the deaths were caused by falling trees.

He added that at least 27 people were injured, 10 of them in a road accident south of the capital when gloom hit and drastically reduced visibility.

The sandstorm struck at 5:10 pm (1240 GMT), sending residents dashing for cover as debris swept across streets and snapped trees.