A severe dust storm swept through Libya on Tuesday, causing low visibility and leading to the temporary closure of flights at Benghazi and Tripoli international airports. The country, situated in the Sahara Desert, frequently experiences dust storms, with the peak season typically occurring in April. These storms are a result of powerful winds from thunderstorms lifting dry soil particles into the air, causing sand and dust to travel over long distances.
Benghazi, the country’s second-largest city located on the eastern coast, bore the brunt of the storm, engulfed in a thick orange haze. Witness the surreal scenes reminiscent of the movie “Dune” in the images below. Men capturing images of obscured buildings and pigeons near a fountain amidst the orange atmosphere, along with individuals taking photos by the seaside under the orange sky, depict the impact of the dust storm in Benghazi.
Image Sources:
1) A man photographs a building during the dust storm. (Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters)
2) Pigeons gather around a fountain during the dust storm. (Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters)
3) Men capturing images by the seaside during the dust storm. (Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters)
4) The corniche in Benghazi covered by the dust storm. (Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters)
