UK tourists warned 'stay away' as holiday hotspot rocked by 'mysterious cracks'
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Crete's picturesque views have been marred by the sudden appearance of huge cracks across streets and homes in a southwestern area near Iraklio - igniting safety concerns among locals and prompting immediate government response.
On Sunday, a statement from Greece's Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection declared an urgent investigation to determine the origin of the fissures and assess further risks.
Efforts kicked off at the crack of dawn on Monday as teams set out to inspect Voutes village, located in Heraklion, Crete, after the ground unexpectedly gave way leading to significant damage to infrastructure. A high-profile meeting took place directly at the troubled site, where seismic risk assessment expert Professor Efthymios Lekkas collaborated with local officials such as Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos, Deputy Governor Nikos Syrigonakis, Deputy Mayors Giorgos Sisamakis and Manolis Chairetis, alongside the head of Voutes and Local Council members.
In the wake of this geologic oddity, Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos examined the scene on Sunday with his team, emphasizing the need for swift action.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the mayor underscored the necessity for an immediate geological survey. "The immediate priority is to conduct a geological and geotechnical assessment without delay. Declaring a state of emergency would expedite the necessary procedures," he asserted, reports Birmingham Live.
The Heraklion Municipality has announced its intention to call upon the Directorate for the Restoration of the Effects of Natural Disasters, seeking an on-site evaluation and official classification of affected buildings.
In addition, the Heraklion Regional Office is set to request that the area be declared in a state of emergency.
Currently, a drone is being used to survey the area and map out the extent of the damage, with further equipment and machinery expected to be deployed throughout the day to assist in data collection and assessment.
Despite this, Crete continues to be a popular destination for UK holidaymakers, who also frequent other Greek islands such as Kos, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu.
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