A powerful weather system, identified as Storm Erminio, has battered large parts of Greece, leaving a trail of destruction, disruption, and at least one fatality as authorities scramble to respond to the crisis.
The victim, a man whose identity has not yet been released, was discovered beneath a vehicle in the rural area of Nea Makri early Thursday morning.
According to the fire department, the man is believed to have been caught in severe flooding caused by intense rainfall overnight.
Emergency services have been inundated with calls for help, receiving at least 674 requests between Wednesday and early Thursday. The majority of incidents were reported in the Attica region, which includes the capital, Athens.
Many of the calls were related to fallen trees, flooded homes, and stranded vehicles.
Authorities say the storm has led to widespread flooding across urban and rural areas. Streets in Nea Makri were submerged, while even critical infrastructure such as the basement of the local police station was inundated with water.
The situation has raised concerns about the resilience of public infrastructure amid increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
Transport has also been severely affected. Strong gale-force winds forced ferries to remain docked at ports, disrupting travel plans for hundreds of passengers. Greek media reports suggest that some ferry services may resume later Thursday, depending on weather conditions.
On the island of Crete, a different but equally alarming weather phenomenon unfolded. A Saharan dust storm swept across the island, turning the sky a striking red-orange and significantly reducing air quality.
The dust, carried from North Africa, caused disruptions to flights on Wednesday and prompted health warnings, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The national meteorological service has issued a red warning for parts of Crete, especially in the western and southern regions, indicating a high risk of dangerous weather conditions.
The warning is expected to remain in effect from midday until late Thursday night, with forecasts predicting intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and even localized hail.
Elsewhere, infrastructure damage has been reported, including the collapse of a bridge on the island of Poros. Vehicles have reportedly been swept away by floodwaters in several locations, highlighting the severity of the storm’s impact.
As a precautionary measure, authorities have closed several schools in affected regions to ensure the safety of students and staff. Residents have been urged to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow guidance from emergency services.
Meteorologists warn that such extreme weather events may become more frequent due to shifting climate patterns.
For now, Greece remains on high alert as Storm Erminio continues to move across the country, with officials closely monitoring the situation and coordinating response efforts.
The coming hours will be critical in determining the full extent of the damage and whether further casualties can be avoided as the storm persists.