A powerful sandstorm struck northwestern China, damaging vehicles on a highway.

The dramatic video was filmed in Shanshan County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on February 17.

A powerful sandstorm engulfed the county, prompting authorities to issue an orange alert (the second strongest level) for sandstorms.

The sandstorm, characterised by sudden and violent winds reaching speeds of 93.2 to 103.1 mph, swept across multiple sections of the Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway within Shanshan County.

The ferocious winds hurled stones and debris, causing significant damage to numerous vehicles caught in the open, shattering windshields and halting traffic in its tracks.

Rescue teams from the fire department and public security were quickly mobilized. Battling through the tempest, they scoured the expressway, locating vehicles trapped by the storm.

Rescuers worked tirelessly, ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers alike, shielding them with their own bodies as they were escorted to rescue vehicles, and driven away from the perilous sections of the highway. Their heroic efforts culminated in the rescue of more than 1,900 individuals stranded amidst the chaos of the storm.

By February 18 at 12:05 p.m., the winds had mercifully subsided, and the situation on the Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway through Shanshan County in Turpan had stabilized. Traffic resumed its normal flow.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

2月17日14时左右，新疆吐鲁番市发布沙尘暴橙色预警，15时，当地鄯善县出现强沙尘暴天气。
沙尘暴发生后，鄯善县公安、消防等部门接到多起群众报警求助电话，在连霍高速鄯善县境内多个路段，瞬间风力达14级的大风卷起碎石造成在高速公路上行驶的多台车辆挡风玻璃损坏。
当地消防、公安安排救援人员沿高速逐一寻找被困车辆，并将司乘人员护在身下，迅速转移至救援车辆驶离风区路段。
截至2月18日12时05分，鄯善县共救助被困人员1900余人，风力逐渐减弱，连霍高速吐鲁番鄯善县路段通行已恢复正常。