Scores of people injured in suspected sandstorm in Harbin city

A suspected sandstorm in Heilongjiang Province's Harbin city injures several people.

Online footage shows the Northeastern Chinese city being struck by a sudden sandstorm last night.

Crowds run for safety as strong gusts topple trees, damaging the surface of several buildings.

A number of areas suffer from power outages with several local residents sustaining injuries during the ordeal.

This as local meteorological authorities note the sandstorm is a phenomenon caused by severe convective weather.