Strong earthquake off Crete causes limited damage
A very strong earthquake, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, occurred at 06:19 (Greek time) 56 kilometers north-northeast of Heraklion, Crete, according to data from the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens.
The focal depth is estimated to have been 60.3 kilometres.
Based on initial information, the earthquake caused disruption to the residents of Crete, and was particularly felt on the Aegean islands and in areas of mainland Greece.
The intensity and duration of the earthquake was high in Chania and Rethymno with the alert from google that arrived on mobile phones recommending instructions.
In fact, there were reports from residents of Athens that they felt the powerful earthquake.
Several aftershocks followed.
The fire services of Crete have been put on general alert. Fire brigade vehicles are already on patrol to control the situation.
According to reports, small landslides on the provincial road network have been recorded as consequences of the earthquake, as well as small parts falling off a building in Heraklion, Crete.
The services of both the region of Crete and the municipalities are in a state of increased preparedness.
Speaking to ERT, the president of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization Efthimios Lekkas noted that it was positive that the epicenter of the earthquake was located in the sea, and that there is probably no fear of a tsunami.
Lekkas referred to an earthquake of significant depth that is difficult to transfer to the surface, at the confluence of the African and European plates, which has produced strong earthquakes in the past and is not related to Santorini.
The mayor of Agios Nikolaos, Manolis Menegakis, speaking to Mega TV station, said that the earthquake was very strong, but confirmed that there were no reports of damage. "We are vigilant," he said.
Two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington were shot and killed on Wednesday evening near a Jewish museum, according to US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Noem announced the deaths in a post on social media platform, X, after the shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum, located steps away from the FBI's field office in the US capital.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was at the scene with former judge Jeanine Pirro, who serves as the US attorney in Washington.
Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, called the shooting a 'depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.'
'We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act,' Danon said in a post on X. 'Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives — everywhere in the world.'
Police offered no details late on Wednesday on a potential motive behind the shooting.
Secretary Noem sent her condolences to the victims and pledged to 'bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.'
Our journalists are working on this story and will update it as soon as more information becomes available.
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