A massive sandstorm over north-western Africa has triggered a severe Saharan dust storm in the Canary Islands.

This dust cloud, locally known as Calima, was whipped up by winds of up to 50 miles per hour, causing severe visibility problems and even disrupted air traffic.

Pictures and videos from the region show just how thick the air has become. Visibility within the dust cloud was reduced to just around 3 kilometres.

The phenomenon was caused by a low-pressure system over Morocco, on the edge of which a storm front some 1,200 km wide developed on Monday. It swept south-westwards, meaning that the wall of dust it had stirred up reached the Canary Islands as early as Tuesday morning.

The dust has also caused a significant deterioration in air quality on the islands.

The authorities are warning against outdoor physical activity and advising people with respiratory conditions to keep windows and doors closed.

The situation is not expected to ease until later on Wednesday.