A severe dust storm swept through Libya on Tuesday, causing reduced visibility and leading to the temporary halt of flights at Benghazi and Tripoli international airports. Libya, located in the Sahara Desert, is susceptible to dust storms, with these occurrences typically happening during the spring season, reaching their peak in April. Dust storms are created when powerful winds from thunderstorms lift dry soil particles into the air, carrying dust and sand over long distances.
Benghazi, the country’s second-largest city situated on the eastern coast, experienced the most significant impact from the storm, with the city enveloped in a thick orange haze. The scenes in Benghazi during the dust storm were eerie, reminiscent of the environment depicted in the movie “Dune.” Check out the surreal images captured during the event below.