Athens shrouded in eerie orange skies as dust clouds from Africa sweep in

The skies over southern Greece took on an otherworldly appearance on Tuesday as dust clouds from the Sahara Desert blanketed the Acropolis and other Athens landmarks in an orange hue. The strong southerly winds carried the dust across the Mediterranean Sea, creating a Martian-like filter over the Greek capital in the last hours of daylight.

Tourists and locals alike marveled at the surreal sight, with many taking photos of the unusual phenomenon. The dust clouds are expected to clear on Wednesday as winds shift and temperatures drop. However, the strong southerly winds have also fueled unseasonal early wildfires in the country’s south.

The fire service reported that 25 wildfires broke out across Greece in the past 24 hours, with three people arrested on suspicion of accidentally starting a blaze on the island of Paros. Fortunately, no significant damage or injuries were reported, and the fires were quickly contained.

Greece is no stranger to devastating forest fires, with last year seeing the country record the largest wildfire in the European Union in over two decades. With persistent drought and high temperatures, firefighters are bracing for a challenging summer ahead. The surreal orange skies over Athens serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and often dangerous conditions that can arise during the summer months in Greece.