Fire and building collapse caused by a strong wind since late Friday has left three people dead and one missing in China's far western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local authorities said Saturday.

The wind, starting at about 5 p.m. Friday and lasting over 16 hours, was the strongest one ever recorded in Turpan city and neighboring counties of Shanshan and Toksun in central Xinjiang.

With the speed reaching 130 km per hour, the gale has seriously damaged crops, vegetable greenhouses and vinery, which are major income resources of local people. Details of the loss are not yet known.

On Saturday, a 40-minute strong sandstorm hit western part of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, reducing visibility to almost zero.

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