Crete earthquake sparks tsunami fears as tourists told to 'reach higher ground'
Tourists in Crete have been hit with a second earthquake scare, sparking a new tsunami alert.
Holidaymakers in Crete have been hit with an urgent tsunami warning after a 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the popular tourist spot.
Terrified tourists and locals have been told to "move away from the coast and reach a higher place" after the huge tremor struck early this morning, reports the Mirror.
Following the quake, no significant damage has been reported however authorities are fearful of more movement.
Tremors have been felt as far as Turkey, Egypt and Israel today. The mayor of Agios Nikolaos, Manolis Menegakis, told Mega TV station: "We are vigilant."
Last week, a powerful 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck in Greece, with the epicentre again near the coast of Crete, the most populous of the Greek islands.
Crete rocked by second tsunami alert in just over a week
Crete has been hit with its second tsunami alert in just over a week – sparking fresh panic on the holiday island.
Just days ago, a 5.9 magnitude quake caused chaos, with buildings cracked, schools damaged and terrified residents forced to sleep outside over fears of more tremors.
Holidaymakers were ordered to "move away from the coast immediately" following an earthquake. Schools and public buildings were left with visible cracks, and residents were forced to sleep outdoors amid fears of further shocks.
The latest tsunami alert comes after a magnitude 6.1 quake.
Earthquake felt as far as Israel and Egypt
The tremor that rocked Crete was so strong it was felt as far away as Israel and Egypt.
The epicentre was located 56km (34 miles) northeast of Neapolis in the Lassithi region of Crete, with the quake striking at a depth of around 60km (37 miles) beneath the surface.
European Mediterranean Seismological Centre reports tsunami warning
Authorities have activated a tsunami evaluation for coastal parts of Greece after this morning's quake, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). Officials are currently assessing the risk, depending on the earthquake's proximity to coastal zones.
Emergency protocols have already kicked in, especially across southern Crete and vulnerable coastal areas.
So far, there's been no official warning against travel to Crete - but tourists are being urged to stay alert and follow local guidance.
Quake rattles Greek islands as Crete takes biggest hit
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake shook other southern Greek islands early this morning.
The epicentre was out at sea, around 58km northeast of Elounda and Neapolis on Crete's northern coast, striking at a depth of 69km, according to the US Geological Survey.
No reported casualties
As of yet, there has been no reports of injuries or serious damage, according to regional government official Giorgos Tsapakos.
But the powerful tremor was widely felt across the Aegean Sea, shaking islands far beyond Crete.
Earthquake and Planning Protection Organization director Efthymios Lekkas noted that deeper earthquakes typically cause less surface damage.
Greece sits on major fault lines and experiences frequent seismic activity.
Second earthquake in just over a week
The latest quake is the second major earthquake to strike Greece in just eight days.
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Last week, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded near the island of Kasos, off the country's southern coast.
It was felt in Crete, the Aegean Islands, and reached as far as Israel and Egypt. No significant damage was reported.
Tsunami warning issued once again
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre says tsunami alerts have been issued while the risk is assessed.
In a statement, experts warned: "Depending on the distance of the earthquake from the coastline, the tsunami could be local (<100 km), regional (<1,000 km) or distant (>1,000 km),"
Greece one of Europe's earthquake hotspots
Greece and its islands sit on a high-risk seismic zone, making it one of the most earthquake-prone areas in Europe.
This is because it lies at the boundary of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates.
It's also affected by the smaller Anatolian Plate, creating complex fault systems and frequent earthquakes.
Greece's many islands and mountainous terrain also amplify the impact of tectonic movements, making them more likely to be felt.
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