similar to the behavior of the people of fir`awn and of those before them they rejected the ayat of allah so allah punished them for their sins. verily allah is allstrong severe in punishment.
كدأب آل فرعون والذين من قبلهم كفروا بآيات الله فأخذهم الله بذنوبهم إن الله قوي شديد العقاب