Mediterranean tourist hotspot bathed in blood-red glow as massive dust storm sweeps in

Peter Stevens
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:05:51 +0000

A Mediterranean tourist hotspot has been bathed in a blood-red glow as a massive dust storm sweeps through Europe.

Easter have been forced to divert from the Greek island of Crete - with photos of the sky showing its hellish dark red glow.

The redness is a result of the calima, a meteorological phenomenon which strikes when a thin layer of dust from the Sahara is lifted into the atmosphere.

Storm Eminio has exacerbated the effect of the calima in Crete, causing the dramatic red appearance.

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The dust has grounded aircraft and disrupted arrivals at Heraklion's main airport.

A powerful tornado even flipped a lorry in the coastal area of Pachia Ammos as it prepared to load agricultural exports.

The violent dust storm uprooted trees, damaged greenhouses, and cause damages to buildings, include a ceramics factory.

And in somewhat bizarre images from a museum, pictures show a sculpture of a dinosaur covered in the desert dust.

Despite the dust particles, people were seen walking in the town, wearing masks to avoid inhaling the dust.

Children, those with chronic respiratiory or cardiac conditions, pregnant women, smokers, and people who work outdoors are warned to stay indoors.

Two flights were forced to divert as the storm caused unsafe visibility levels.

A British Airways flight from London was rerouted to Corfu and a SKY Express flight from Brussels was sent to Athens.

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Another seven flights were cancelled as a result of the storm.

The air has been described as suffocating, with extremely high concentrations of dust particles making conditions hazardous.

Air quality readings have plunged into the "very poor" category, with particle pollution far exceeding safe limits according to regional weather stations.

Light rain in Chania has caused a layer of mud to appear over cars and streets.

Meteorologists have said the dust levels have reached more than 1000 micrograms per cubic metre.

The current wave of dust should clear within a day.

But forecasters have warned that another wave of Saharan dust could hit the Greek island as soon as Thursday.

Greek authorities have urged residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel and to remain indoors where possible.