ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَكَفَرُوا۟ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
Zaalika bi annahum kaanat taateehim Rusuluhum bilbaiyinaati fakafaroo fa akhazahumul laah; innahoo qawiyyun shadeedul 'iqaab
because messengers repeatedly came to them with clear signs and still they rejected them. God destroyed them: He is truly full of strength, severe in punishment.
That was because their messengers kept coming to them with clear proofs, and they denied them, so God seized them. Indeed, he is strong, severe in punishment.