Man Dies in Storm as Saharan Dust Shrouds Crete

A tragic incident occurred near Athens on Thursday as a severe storm swept through Greece, bringing powerful winds and heavy rain. The victim was discovered under a vehicle in the Nea Makri rural area, as confirmed by the fire department. Concurrently, a Saharan dust storm blanketed the island of Crete, creating unusual atmospheric conditions.

Storm Erminio caused widespread disruptions, leading to flooded streets, school closures, and ferry port suspensions. In the affected regions, Greek media noted that some ferry services might restart on Thursday, contingent on weather improvements. The national meteorological service warned of persistent and intense rainfall, along with potential hail, across most of the country on Thursday.

“Weather conditions are expected to remain severe on Thursday, with prolonged and strong storms, possibly including local hail,” stated the national meteorological service.

Authorities reported 674 emergency calls between Wednesday and Thursday morning, primarily in the Attica region surrounding Athens. These calls mostly involved fallen trees and other storm-related hazards. Meanwhile, flights on Crete were impacted on Wednesday as thick dust from an African storm turned the sky red-orange.

Floodwaters reached the basement of the local police station in Nea Makri, highlighting the storm’s destructive reach. On the island of Poros, a bridge collapsed, and vehicles were reportedly swept away by the surge. Schools remained closed in several areas, adding to the disruption caused by the weather events.