Heavy dust storm causes death, flight cancellations in Libya

TRIPOLI, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- A heavy dust storm swept across eastern Libya on Tuesday, killing one person, halting flights, and prompting school closures, authorities reported.

Medical sources from the Libyan Red Crescent said a young man was killed in central Benghazi after strong winds caused the ceiling of his home to collapse.

Aviation authorities also announced the suspension of flights at Tripoli's Mitiga Airport and Benghazi's Benina Airport due to poor visibility and adverse conditions.

Authorities in eastern Libya decided to suspend classes at all schools and universities and imposed a two-day curfew. Classes were also suspended in the western city of Misrata.

Mohi El-Din Ali Ramadan, spokesman for the National Meteorological Center, said wind speeds reached about 100 km per hour, noting that the low-pressure system, which originated in the North Atlantic and turned into a dust storm after passing over desert areas before reaching Libya, is expected to weaken gradually by Wednesday as it moves eastward to Egypt. ■