Who turned the lights out? Epic dust storm plunges city into darkness

An intense dust storm has swept through central Europe, with video showing scenes of day seemingly turning into night.

The event, a type of intense red dust storm known as a haboob, struck the nation of Belarus around 5pm local time on Monday.

Vision shot from an apartment block in the city of Soligorsk shows a gradual darkening of the sky.

Within minutes, the city was pitch black, with drivers gradually seen flicking on their headlights as darkness descended.

Television network RT reported police had to escort pedestrians around the streets with flashlights.

Subsequent heavy rain led to electricity being cut and some damage to buildings from falling trees.