A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck off the coast of Crete early Thursday morning, sending tremors across the Greek island and as far as Turkey and Israel. The quake occurred at 6:19 a.m. local time (0319 GMT), about 79 kilometers (49 miles) from the city of Heraklion, according to seismic authorities.
Despite the strength of the tremor, Greece’s fire brigade reported that it had not received any calls for emergency assistance, nor were there immediate reports of serious property damage or injuries. However, emergency services remain on high alert, particularly in Crete, a major tourist destination that draws thousands of visitors during the summer season.
Locals and tourists alike were jolted awake as buildings shook during the early morning hours. Social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), were flooded with posts showing the aftermath of the quake. One CCTV video shared on Facebook showed flower pots trembling on a balcony, underscoring the quake’s intensity.
Greece lies in a seismically active zone and frequently experiences earthquakes. Earlier this year, the island of Santorini experienced unusual seismic activity for several weeks, prompting evacuations, school closures, and heightened alert levels across the region.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged residents and tourists to remain cautious as aftershocks may follow.
Sources By Agencies
