Crete's Scarlet Sky: Storm Forces Shutdown Across Greece

Greece was battered by a powerful storm front that transformed Crete's sky into a surreal shade of red. The storm, intensified by a Saharan dust storm, delivered gale-force winds and flooding, claiming the life of a 55-year-old man in Nea Makri.

Fire services had their hands full, responding to around 500 calls for assistance. Operations included cutting down felled trees, pumping water from flooded homes, and rescuing 33 individuals stranded by high waters. In Athens, power outages and downed trees caused traffic gridlocks.

Other Aegean islands witnessed streets turning into rivers and stormy seas heightening the impact of heavy rains. Notably, on Paros Island, vehicles were swept away, and a small bridge collapsed, prompting the closure of schools on Thursday.