A man has died near Athens as a storm hits parts of Greece with gale-force winds and flooding, while a Saharan dust storm enveloped the island of Crete. The man was found under a car in the Nea Makri rural area early on Thursday, according to the fire department.

Storm Erminio has flooded streets, closed some schools, and moored ferries. Meanwhile, some flights were disrupted on Crete on Wednesday after dust from an African storm filled the air, turning the sky red-orange. The weather is expected to continue being severe on Thursday in most areas of the country, with long-lasting and intense rains, storms, and possibly hail, as reported by the national meteorological service.

A red warning is in effect in Crete, especially in the west and south, from midday until late at night on Thursday. The fire department reported 674 calls for assistance from Wednesday through the early hours of Thursday, with most requests coming from the Attica region encompassing Athens, related to fallen trees and flooding. High winds have led to the postponement of ferry services, while local roads, police stations, and bridges have been seriously affected by the storm.