The Daily Populous Saturday April 4th, 2026 evening edition
Authored by apnews.com and submitted by gamersecret2

Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.

Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A powerful storm front that lashed Greece over the past 24 hours brought gale force winds and flooding that left one man dead and turned the sky over Crete a deep red.

The sky’s surreal red hues were reminiscent of apocalyptic scenes over Crete where the storm that hit the island with gale-force winds combined with a Saharan dust storm.

On the mainland, Greek media reports said a 55-year-old man died after becoming trapped under a car as he was swept by surging waters in the town of Nea Makri, some 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of the Greek capital Athens.

A general view of the seaside in Iraklio, on the southern island of Crete, Greece, during a dust storm on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Giorgos Gkratsos) A general view of the seaside in Iraklio, on the southern island of Crete, Greece, during a dust storm on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Giorgos Gkratsos) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook

Fire Department official Yiannis Tsingas told state radio that fire engines responded to some 500 calls for assistance including cutting felled trees, pumping water out of flooded homes and rescuing 33 people trapped by the high floodwaters.

Power was down in various suburbs of Athens while traffic became snarled in the city center from downed trees and cars stalled as a result of high waters.

On other islands in the Aegean, streets turned into small rivers while stormy seas compounded the heavy rains on coastal areas. On the island of Paros, vehicles were swept away while a small bridge collapsed. The island’s mayor said schools were closed on Thursday.