Strong winds hit Beijing on March 23, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

BEIJING - Strong winds hit Beijing and neighboring areas Friday, delaying flights and trains and triggering accidents that left at least 26 people injured, according to local authorities.

The Beijing Municipal Meteorological Station issued warnings about the gales, which reached more than 60 km per hour.

More than 20 flights were delayed at Beijing Capital International Airport and six others canceled, airport spokespeople told reporters.

Meanwhile, authorities with the Beijing South Railway Station, the departure point for the capital's high-speed trains, announced that winds had forced some trains bound for Shanghai to slow down, leading to delays.

By 2:20 pm, nine high-speed trains had been delayed, the Shanghai Railway Bureau confirmed.

The strong winds also caused 20 accidents, with windows blown loose from some high-rise buildings and billboards toppled.

At least 26 people were injured in the accidents, a spokesman with the Beijing Emergency Medical Center said.