Officials in Tehran warned that a second sandstorm could hit the capital Tuesday, a day after five people were killed in high winds, according to AFP.
Monday’s deadly storm plunged Tehran into darkness for up to 15 minutes during rush hour traffic, causing widespread panic as people ran for shelter.
One man was hospitalized after being hit by debris and died later, along with four others according to IRNA news agency.
The extreme and unexpected weather caught Iran by surprise as authorities were forced to cancel a World Cup ceremony with a speech from President Hassan Rouhani, leaving a 12,000-seat stadium empty.
High winds of 110-120 kilometers per hour damaged cars as heavy materials were swept across streets. Around 50,000 homes also lost power, AFP reports.
The head of Tehran’s weather forecasting and warnings unit, Ahad Vazifeh, said Tuesday’s chances of another sandstorm were unpredictable, but “relevant authorities” are on alert for further developments.
