Flights Suspended as Dense Fog Engulfs Lebanese Coast

The Lebanese airspace was closed from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday due to rare dense fog that engulfed the country’s coast and caused low visibility.

All incoming flights were diverted to Cyprus, said Kamal Shoaib, deputy head of the Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport.

“Aviation will return to normalcy as soon as fog subsides,” Shoaib added.

For the first time in decades, heavy fog engulfed the southern coastal city of Tyre, totally blocking visibility and disrupting traffic, with some motorists parking their vehicles on the side of the road seeking safety.

The meteorological department said the Lebanese coast will continue to witness light and dense fog throughout the night and Saturday morning, before it starts abating by noon.

It advised motorists in coastal areas to drive carefully and slowly and to use their emergency flashers in order to avoid any accidents. The department also urged fishermen to avoid sailing at night.