More than a dozen people were injured after a storm destroyed a tent at the site of PAS' annual general assembly, the muktamar, at Alor Setar, Kedah at about 7.30pm today.

An eyewitness said the storm hit during the maghrib call to prayer.

"Stalls (affected). The tents were hit by the storm," PAS information chief Nasruddin Hassan told reporters via WhatsApp message.

The local Fire Department reported 19 injuries, including one who was unconcious.

Thirteen were rushed to hospital while six were treated at the scene.

All programmes schedule for tonight, except for a dinner banquet for party leaders, were cancelled, PAS security unit official Baharuddin Hashim said.

"Everything is under control. That is all I can say," he said while trying to disperse the crowd from the scene.

However, congress secretariat sources told Bernama the fundrasiign banquet scheduled to start at 8.30pm was also cancelled.

It is understood the general assembly proceedings will proceed as planned tomorrow, but the trading area where the destroyed tent is located will be closed.

No official statement has been made by PAS as at 11.50pm.

'I heard screams'

Hambali Ahmad, who was selling drinks outside the venue, said many went inside the tent to seek shelter when it started to rain.

He said the tent that collapsed housed the main exhibition an trade stalls.

"The tent collapsed when people were inside...I heard people scream and saw the injured. I saw people sustain head injuries and abrasions," the 35-year-old said.

Basaruddin Hashim, 60, said the storm lasted only about 15 minutes with one strong gust of wind destroying the tent.

"It was during the magrhib azan so people were heading to prayers.

"Thank God most visitors are unharmed and most of the goods are also not affected," said the clothes seller.

Additional reporting by Susan Loone