Breathtaking image of Mediterranean storm taken from Space Station (PHOTOS)

NASA have released stunning new night-time pictures taken from onboard the International Space Station (ISS), giving a fascinating perspective of cities and regions bordering the Mediterranean.

The Strait of Gibraltar, the Nile river, southern Italy and a powerful thunderstorm, seen from more than 400km (250 miles) above, were all captured on film by members of the Expedition 49 crew as the space station passed over Earth in low orbit.

The astronauts and cosmonauts on the 49th expedition are carrying out experiments aimed at improving pharmaceutical drug design by using zero-gravity conditions. They are also investigating the properties of materials burning at high temperatures.

Millions of city lights, the moon and a lightning storm illuminate the Earth in the beautiful night-time pictures taken from the habitable satellite overhead.