IN PICTURE. “Apocalyptic”: Greece in the grip of bright red skies due to Sahara dust

Strong winds from the south carried a lot of Sahara dust to Greece on Tuesday. Several southern regions were covered in an orange blanket. The bright red skies produced “apocalyptic” images.

LOOK. Saharan sand turns the sky above Greece bright red

Such a large amount of Sahara dust does not occur often. “It is one of the most severe episodes of dust and sand concentrations from the Sahara since March 21 and 22, 2018, when the dust clouds mainly entered the island of Crete,” Kostas Lagouvardos, meteorologist at the Athens Observatory, told The Guardian.

People watch the orange glow above the Acropolis. © ANP / EPA

“The sunset seemed apocalyptic. As if the sky was on fire. I have never seen it as extreme as it is now in ten years,” says Greece correspondent Thijs Kettenis at ‘NOS’.

A couple looks up at the bright red sky in Athens. © AFP

Sahara dust also has consequences for air quality. The dust particles can cause irritation to the respiratory tract. In Crete, noticeably more people reported to the emergency room. The skies should clear again today.

Greece was also hit by dust clouds from the Sahara in late March and early April, which also gripped parts of Switzerland and southern France.

A man admires the orange vista in the Greek capital. © ANP / EPA

The Sahara is also the largest source of mineral dust, releasing 60 to 200 million tons per year. While the largest dust particles quickly fall to the ground, the smallest particles can fly thousands of kilometers and reach all of Europe.

Also Sahara dust at the temple of Apollo in Corinth. © ANP / EPA

Forest fires

Strong southerly winds in recent days have also fueled unusually early bushfires in the south of the country. It was also unusually warm. In Crete the mercury rose to almost 37 degrees, while it is normally around 22 degrees at this time of year.

Bright red skies over Athens. © ANP / EPA

The fire brigade said on Tuesday evening that a total of 25 forest fires had broken out across the country. Three people were arrested on the Aegean holiday island of Paros on suspicion of accidentally starting a forest fire. There was no significant damage and no injuries were reported. The fire was quickly under control.

Another blaze in Crete near a naval base was also brought under control on Tuesday.