A severe sandstorm from the Sahara has engulfed Spain's Canary Islands, causing widespread disruption to air travel and leaving tourists stranded. Airport operator Aena cancelled, suspended or diverted all flights to and from the islands over the weekend due to low visibility. Operations resumed on Sunday at all airports except Tenerife South.
The regional government has issued a health alert, advising people to stay indoors and avoid travel. Spain's national weather service forecast winds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph) until Monday. The sandstorm, visible from space, carried a dense cloud of sand from the Sahara desert, some 500 km (300 miles) across the Atlantic Ocean.
Ferry services and efforts to tackle wildfires on Gran Canaria have also been hampered by the strong winds. Firefighters are battling blazes in Gran Canaria and Tenerife, where temperatures have exceeded 30°C. In south-west Gran Canaria, near Tasarte, fires have scorched around 300 hectares, forcing the evacuation of 500 people. On Tenerife, about 1,000 locals and tourists were evacuated as a precaution.
Hundreds of flights have been affected, leaving tourists stranded at airports. On Sunday, 822 flights were impacted, Aena said. Passengers have reported a lack of communication and provisions. Alison Lagier from Rhondda, Wales, due to fly from Gran Canaria to Cardiff, said there had been little communication and no food vouchers or drinks provided. She expressed concern for passengers running out of medication, including insulin.
Spanish Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos thanked neighbouring countries for their solidarity. The Canary Islands, including Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma, are popular winter sun destinations for European tourists.
