The island of Crete was covered by a red-orange dust storm
The island of Crete found itself under the influence of a powerful dust storm, caused by African dust. Because of this, the situation on the island significantly worsened: the air became very polluted, and the environment resembled an almost apocalyptic scene.
Photo: Stefanos Rapanis/Anadolu via Getty Images
The dust curtain, along with stormy winds, led to problems with air traffic. At Heraklion Airport, visibility dropped to approximately one kilometer, so several international planes were unable to land and were redirected to other cities, including Athens, Corfu, and Chania.
Authorities declared a heightened state of alert and warned that the highest dust concentration is expected during the day. Residents were advised not to leave their homes unnecessarily if possible, and drivers were urged to be very careful due to poor visibility.
Special attention was drawn to people at risk — those with respiratory or heart problems, children, and the elderly. They were recommended to stay indoors. In general, the population is advised to avoid physical activity outdoors, keep windows closed, and use masks if necessary.
In addition to the dust storm, the southeastern part of the island is also suffering from stormy weather. According to forecasts, the situation should begin to improve on Friday, and special services continue to constantly monitor the situation.