Man dies in storm as Saharan dust shrouds Crete

A man died near Athens, Greece, on Thursday as Storm Erminio brought gale-force winds and flooding to parts of the country. The man was found under a car in Nea Makri. The storm caused street flooding, school closures, and ferry disruptions. Simultaneously, a Saharan dust storm enveloped Crete, turning the sky red-orange and disrupting some flights on Wednesday. A red warning is in place for Crete due to the dust storm. The fire department received hundreds of calls for assistance, mainly in the Attica region, due to fallen trees. The national meteorological service forecasts continued bad weather across most of Greece with intense rain, storms, and potential hail.

On April 1, 2026, Saharan dust from North Africa swept across the Mediterranean Sea, blanketing the island of Crete in an orange haze. The event significantly reduced visibility across the island. The dust cloud disrupted air travel, affecting flights arriving and departing from Crete. The phenomenon was caused by strong winds carrying dust particles northward from the Sahara Desert. The dust created an unusual atmospheric effect, changing the color of the sky and impacting daily life on the island.