A severe dust storm originating from the Sahara desert has blanketed Athens and various other Greek cities, marking one of the worst such incidents since 2018. The yellow-orange haze has significantly reduced visibility and prompted health warnings due to potential respiratory issues. Authorities anticipate the skies to clear on Wednesday as winds change direction and move the dust away, bringing a drop in temperatures.
Clouds of dust from the Sahara Desert have blanketed Athens and other Greek cities, turning the sky an eerie orange. The dust, carried by strong northwesterly winds, has triggered health warnings due to the presence of fine dust particles. The event is expected to subside on Wednesday as winds shift eastward.
A far-right Greek MP, Konstantinos Floros, was arrested after allegedly punching and headlocking another MP, Vassilis Grammenos, during a parliamentary debate. Floros, who is now an independent, was ordered to be handed over to the police by Parliament Speaker Constantinos Tasoulas and faces criminal charges. The incident occurred during a debate on the immunity of Kyriakos Velopoulos, the president of the nationalist Greek Solution Party, who is being sued for defamation. Floros allegedly shouted “shut up, you trash!” to Grammenos after he was not allowed to speak, leading to the physical altercation. Grammenos was taken to the parliament’s medical clinic, and Floros was expelled from parliament for 15 days.
On Tuesday, skies over southern Greece, including Athens, turned orange due to dust clouds from the Sahara Desert. Strong winds carried the dust, giving the atmosphere a Martian-like appearance and engulfing the Acropolis. This is one of the most severe episodes of dust from the Sahara since 2018, according to Kostas Lagouvardos of the Athens Observatory. As the winds shift, the skies are expected to clear on Wednesday. However, wildfires, fueled by strong southerly winds, have broken out across the country. Three people were arrested in Paros for accidentally starting a fire. While another blaze near a naval base in Crete was contained. Greece has faced Sahara dust clouds before in March and April, and officials warn of increased pollution particles that could impact those with health issues. The country also suffers from regular wildfires, with fears of a challenging season due to drought and high temperatures.
A large mass of Saharan dust has swept across the Mediterranean Sea and enveloped Athens, turning the skies a striking orange and prompting health warnings due to the poor air quality. The dust, which has also reached as far north as Thessaloniki, has created a surreal Martian-like landscape, blanketing the Acropolis and other iconic landmarks. Health officials have urged individuals with respiratory conditions to limit outdoor activities, avoid exercise, and wear protective face masks as the dust can aggravate respiratory problems.
Athens and southern Greece experienced an unusual sight on Tuesday as strong winds carried sand and dust from northern Africa, transforming the skies into an eerie orange hue. The meteorological phenomenon, fueled by the strength of the winds, resulted in an influx of dust and sand particles, creating a surreal and dramatic spectacle.
On Tuesday, orange-hued dust clouds originating from North Africa engulfed Athens, Greece, creating a surreal spectacle. The dust, carried by strong southerly winds, transformed the atmosphere of Athens, giving it a Martian-like appearance. Despite the stunning visual, the dust storm also brought concerns, as it triggered unseasonal wildfires. The dust storm is predicted to clear on Wednesday, but strong winds and high temperatures have heightened fears of a challenging wildfire season in Greece.
A large dust cloud from the Sahara Desert swept across Athens and the southern region of Greece on Tuesday evening, casting an eerie orange and red hue over the area. Carried by strong winds, the dust traveled hundreds of miles from Africa, creating a thick haze that obscured visibility and raised concerns about wildfires. As winds are expected to ease on Wednesday, the dust is anticipated to clear, according to local media reports.
Tourists on the Greek island of Crete participated in a mock earthquake drill, unaware that it was a simulation. The drill, named ‘Minoas’ after the mythical Cretan Bronze Age king, involved evacuations and first aid simulations. The exercise aimed to prepare for real earthquakes, as Greece is located on multiple fault lines and has a history of seismic activity. The drill comes just days after a real quake measuring 3.8 hit the island’s southwestern coast. Despite Greece’s vulnerability to earthquakes, tremors have not caused severe fatalities or damage since a strong quake killed 143 people near Athens in 1999. However, the country has faced other emergencies in recent years, including wildfires and floods.
A massive dust storm originating from Africa has enveloped Athens and other Greek cities, casting a yellow-orange hue over the sky. Meteorological experts predict that the storm will bring mud rains to the country’s northern and western regions, while elevated spring temperatures will amplify its impact. The winds are expected to shift westward on Wednesday, leading to reduced dust levels. The storm poses potential health risks, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions, prompting doctors to issue warnings about increased exposure risks. In Libya, the Sahara sandstorm resulted in the suspension of air traffic on Monday and Tuesday, with winds reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h, according to the Libya Observer.
