Tourists on holiday island warned to 'move away from the coast' after earthquake
Tourists on Crete must today avoid the coasts after an earthquake sparked tsunami fears.
Holidaymakers have been ordered to "move away from the coast immediately" following an earthquake, which has led to concern for a tsunami in Greece. The powerful 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck on Tuesday, and the epicentre was near the coast of Crete, the most populous of theGreek islands.
Since then, Greece's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection said: "A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area. Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities."
The alert has been issued this morning along parts of the coastlines, which are popular with tourists from across Europe, including British residents.
Locals and tourists should move to higher ground as a precaution. Emergency services remain on high alert as aftershocks of the tremor are still 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.
Brits with flights booked to Crete, home to two large airports, should check with their airlines in advance of their departure times. It is understood there are no significant cancellations to the island at this stage.
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, which happened 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.
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