Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival locked down its market and festival areas on Tuesday as a lightning storm and torrential rain hit the port city of Jeddah where it is taking place.

Participants received a message at 13.45 pm local time informing them that the Souk market area and the Culture Square screening hub were being closed until further notice.

“Please remain at the hotel due to the weather conditions and if you are already out, please inform us,” read the message.

Participants who were already in the Souk market were told to stay put as shuttle bus services to different parts of the festival were halted.

There were reports of rain leaking through the roof of the temporary structure hosting some 90 corporate and institutional exhibitors, which has been a convivial meeting

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