A severe dust storm swept through Libya on Tuesday, causing poor visibility and leading to the temporary halt of flights at two major international airports in the cities of Benghazi and Tripoli. Libya, situated in the Sahara Desert, is susceptible to dust storms, a recurring event during the spring season, with peak occurrences typically observed in April. These storms form when powerful winds from thunderstorms lift up loose dry soil particles, carrying dust and sand over long distances in the air. The city of Benghazi, located on the eastern coast and the most impacted area by the recent storm, was engulfed in a thick orange haze, creating surreal scenes reminiscent of the movie “Dune.”
Witness the striking visuals captured during the dust storm below:
– A man capturing a building amidst the dust storm. (Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters)
– Pigeons lingering near a fountain in the midst of the orange atmospheric conditions caused by the storm. (Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters)
– Men taking photographs by the seaside under the orange sky resulting from the dust storm. (Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters)
– The corniche in Benghazi covered in a veil of dust during the storm. (Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters)