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Video shows powerful downburst in Moscow on May 29, 2017.
A truly rare meteorological event occurred in the Russian capital on May 29, 2017. A powerful downburst with wind speeds approx 101 kph (63 mph) caused death and injury to citizens and significant damage to trees and infrastructure across the city and in surrounding Moscow region.
16 people lost their lives mainly due to fallen trees and flying debris while 146 people sustained serious injury and were taken to hospital.
Downburt events in the area are not uncommon in spring time when the atmosphere is unstable and in 1998 a similar wind storm whipped the city killing as many as 11 people.
But the ferocity of the May 2017 event was unprecedented and unheard of as the video above shows winds at one point seem to be approaching hurricane force.
Hundreds of cars were crushed under trees as the storm hit.
