People are warned to stay away from parts of Crete in Greece, following the magnitude 5.9 earthquake – and emergency services there remain on high alert this morning
Tourists have been warned to “move away from the coast immediately” amid a tsunami warning in parts of Greece.
The alert has been issued this morning along parts of the coastlines, including on Crete, after a powerful 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck. The tremor, which hit earlier today, has sparked fears of a potential tsunami, with Greece’s Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issuing the urgent alert with particular concern for the Kasos region.
Authorities are urging residents and tourists in the area to stay away from the coastline and to move to higher ground as a precautionary measure.
“A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area,” said the Ministry via its X account. “Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities.”
The quake’s epicentre was located off the coast of Crete, but tremors were reportedly felt across several nearby islands. Emergency services remain on high alert as aftershocks are possible.
There are currently no immediate reports of injuries or major damage, but officials are monitoring the situation closely and have warned people to remain vigilant.
The Greek island of Crete and its surrounding region have long been known as one of Europe’s most earthquake-prone zones. Back in October 2021, a 6.3 magnitude quake rattled Crete just weeks after another deadly tremor killed one person and injured at least a dozen others.
The earlier quake, in September 2021, devastated villages near Heraklion, damaging hundreds of homes and leaving scores of families displaced.
Schools and public buildings were also left with visible cracks, and residents were forced to sleep outdoors amid fears of further shocks.
One of the most powerful quakes in recent memory struck near the island of Karpathos in October 2021, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale. Though no fatalities were reported, the tremor sent shockwaves through nearby islands including Kasos and Rhodes.
Going back even further, in July 2006, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook the seabed south of Crete, sending tremors through mainland Greece and waking people in Athens in the early hours.
Greece sits at the meeting point of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it a hotspot for seismic activity. While locals are no strangers to the earth rumbling beneath their feet, the fear of a major quake remains ever present.
We’ll bring you updates as we get them.