MANAMA: Flights into Bahrain were suspended last night following a violent sandstorm that drastically reduced visibility.

However, flights took off as scheduled, an official source at Bahrain International Airport said.

The Transportation and Telecommuncation Ministry’s meteorological directorate said the dust haze will continue today, with strong to gale-force winds possible.

Horizontal visibility will be below 1,000 metres.

Motorists and sailors were urged to be cautious.

Meanwhile, Gulf Air last night denied reports circulating on social media that one of its planes overshot the runway due to the sandstorm.

‘We urge everyone to be accurate when spreading news related to safety and security,’ it added on its Twitter account.