Earthquake map shows horror scale of 6.0-quake ahead of major tsunami warning

Daily Mirror

14-05-2025

People are being warned to stay away from parts of Crete after a powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the region, while emergency services remain on high alert this morning
A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Greece early this morning, prompting urgent warnings for residents and tourists to evacuate coastal areas as a precaution against a possible tsunami.
The quake occurred at approximately 1:51 a.m. local time, 14 miles (23 kilometres) southeast of Fry, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Initially measured at magnitude 5.9, it was later upgraded to 6.0.
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The Greek Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued an alert via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, warning: "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."
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The epicentre was located off the southern coast near Crete, where a magnitude of 6.1 was recorded. Tremors were reportedly felt on several surrounding islands, including Kasos and Karpathos. Authorities are advising people to stay away from the shoreline and seek higher ground as a precaution.
So far, no injuries or significant damage have been reported. Emergency services remain on standby, and officials are monitoring the situation closely amid concerns about potential aftershocks.
Barry Rickhuss and his wife Ashleigh, from Kent, were staying near Stalis, Crete, when they received an automated tsunami alert at around 2am this morning.
He told The Mirror: "We went to reception of our hotel and there were many people there including panicked hotel staff who all advised to head up the hills.
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"We all left together, with hotel staff and German, Swedish, Dutch and Greek people and waited. We all are looking down on the town beneath and checking our phones. We are waiting for the all clear."
The Greek island of Crete and its surrounding region are among the most seismically active areas in Europe, with a long history of significant earthquakes.
In October 2021, a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Crete, just weeks after a deadly 5.8 magnitude tremor in September claimed one life and injured at least a dozen others. The September quake caused widespread destruction in villages near Heraklion, damaging hundreds of homes and leaving many families displaced. Schools and public buildings sustained structural damage, with visible cracks forcing residents to sleep outdoors for fear of aftershocks.
Later that same month, another strong earthquake - a 6.4 magnitude event - shook the region near the island of Karpathos. While there were no reported fatalities, the quake was felt across several nearby islands, including Kasos and Rhodes, highlighting the region's vulnerability to powerful seismic activity.