Latest news with #MinistryforClimateCrisisandCivilProtection
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Is it safe to travel to Crete? Travel advice after earthquake causes tsunami warning for Greek island
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck off the eastern coast of Crete, Greece's largest island, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, which was felt as far away as Egypt. The quake hit near the islands of Kasos and Karpathos, smaller islands near Crete's east coast in the Mediterranean Sea, with a depth of 35km (22 miles), the Athens Geodynamic Institute said. No damage or injuries have been reported, but Greek authorities have issued a tsunami warning in the area. Crete is a popular holiday destination due to its pristine beaches, thriving resort scene, rich history and unique natural landscapes, but the island also happens to be one of the most earthquake-prone in Europe. Here is what we know so far about the earthquake. Greece's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection said on X: "A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of a possible Tsunami in your area. Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities." The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently does not have any travel advice regarding Crete or Greece as a whole, meaning it should be safe to travel to the country and its islands. Those who are planning a trip to the east coast of Crete, Karos or Karpathos can check for updates from Greek authorities. No injuries or serious property damage have been reported since the earthquake occurred, but authorities are urging people to remain vigilant and move away from the coastal area. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) has shown that the epicentre of the earthquake was near the Greek islands of Kasos and Karpathos, in the Aegean Sea. The islands sit off the east coast of Crete and southwest of Rhodes. Kasos is known as an off-the-beaten-path destination for holidays away from the bustling holiday resorts, while Karpathos has many traditional villages scattered across its mountainous landscape. Greece's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection offers advice on what to do when an earthquake or tsunami strikes. The ministry states that not all earthquakes cause a tsunami; however, when you feel an earthquake, it is best to stay alert. Its guidance includes observing whether there is a significant rise or fall of the water level, as this phenomenon is a physical warning for an oncoming tsunami. It says that a relatively small-sized tsunami at parts of the coastline could be transformed into an extremely dangerous one over a distance of several kilometres. 'Stay away from seaside areas until you are informed by the competent authorities that the danger is over,' the ministry says. 'A tsunami is not a single wave but a series of waves with different times of arrival at the seashore.' 'Do not approach the shore in order to watch a tsunami coming. When you see the tsunami coming, it will probably be too late to avoid it.' The Greek authorities specified that there was a risk of a possible tsunami after the earthquake struck, which was around 48km southeast of Kasos. None of the islands have reported injuries or serious property damage as of Wednesday morning. It has not been unheard of in the past for earthquakes to affect the country, which is prone to seismic activity. Unprecedented levels of activity shook the popular tourist island of Santorini for weeks earlier this year. The island of Crete is known as one of Europe's most common zones for earthquakes. In October 2021, a 6.3 magnitude quake shook the island just weeks after a deadly tremor killed one person and injured dozens. Greece sits at the line between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, so it is common for seismic activity to be felt there. Greece has thousands of islands, with about 227 of them inhabited, the largest of which is Crete by population and area. The islands are traditionally grouped in different clusters, such as the Argo-Saronic Islands, the Cyclades, the North Aegean Islands, the Dodecanese, the Sporades and the Ionian Islands. Kasos and Karpathos are often classed as being Dodecanese, alongside Rhodes and Kos, while Crete is usually not classed in a group, but delimits the island area in the South. Kasos Island Airport, which operates very few flights in a day, with domestic Olympic Air flights to other islands, have not had any issues with flight itinerary. Similarly, Karpathos Island Airport has not been affected, data from FlightRadar shows. Heraklion International Airport on Crete also has no cancellations or disruptions to its flight schedule, while Rhodes International Airport has minor delays, but overall the earthquake appears to have largely not affected air travel. As the Foreign Office has not warned against non-essential travel to Greece, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund. The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it's best to contact them if you're looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes. In terms of travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
6.0 magnitude earthquake prompts tsunami warnings in Greece
A powerful earthquake struck near the Greek island of Kasos early Wednesday, prompting tsunami warnings and widespread alerts across the southeastern Aegean Sea. The tremor occurred at approximately 1:51 a.m. Eastern European Time, with its epicenter located about 14 miles southeast of Fry, Greece, at a depth of 62.5 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake was felt across Crete, Rhodes, Kos and other parts of the eastern Mediterranean. Despite the strength of the quake, there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage. Greece's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued emergency alerts advising residents and tourists in affected areas, including Rhodes, Karpathos and Kasos, to move away from coastal regions and seek higher ground due to the potential tsunami risk. Efthymios Lekkas, head of Greece's Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation, noted that the quake's depth likely mitigated its impact on the surface. However, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What is a tsunami - and what are the tell-tale signs?
Greek authorities issued a temporary tsunami warning this week after a earthquake measuring 5.9 on the richter scale struck off the island of Crete. The country's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection posted on the 112 Greece account: "A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km southeast of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area. Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities." The quake - which was felt as far away as Egypt - happened at a depth of 22 miles, near the island of Karpathos in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the Athens Geodynamic Institute. The warning was issued in the early hours of May 14, and no tsunami was recorded. Greece is among Europe's most earthquake-prone countries, and is located on a number of fault lines. Earlier this year, an unprecedented level of seismic activity shook the holiday island of Santorini for weeks. Tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea, and can also be triggered by large rock slides or meteorite impacts. The name 'tsunami' is a Japanese word meaning 'harbour wave'. Tsunamis can travel at hundreds of miles an hour, as fast as a jet aircraft, and are relatively small as they travel over the ocean, only losing speed and gaining height as they approach land. Tsunami waves can be hundreds of feet high, according to the British Geological Society. The British Geological Survey says: 'The wave only becomes dangerous when it approaches land because, due to bottom friction with the seabed, the speed decreases. This causes the wavelength to decrease too and, as it does so, the wave's elevation increases. "As it strikes land it can be tens, if not hundreds, of metres high. With these elevations the wave can be massively destructive.' Unlike earthquakes, experts tend not to use a standard 'scale' to warn of the size of a tsunami, instead looking at the location, magnitude and depth of the earthquake that caused the wave. Scales such as the Papadopoulos-Imamura tsunami intensity scale measure tsunamis, but tend to be less widely used than, for example, the Richter scale for earthquakes. Authorities issue warnings if tsunamis are likely to occur, based on recent earthquakes, but there are also 'natural tsunami warnings'. The US National Weather Service says that if you experience any one of the following warning signs, it could be a sign that a tsunami is incoming. The Weather Service says, 'Natural tsunami warnings include strong or long earthquakes, a loud roar (like a train or an airplane) from the ocean, and unusual ocean behaviour. 'The ocean could look like a fast-rising flood or a wall of water. Or, it could drain away suddenly, showing the ocean floor, reefs and fish like a very low, low tide.' Tsunami warnings are typically issued at the earliest moment, based on seismic information (i.e. at the moment when an earthquake that might trigger a tsunami is detected). The warning alerts the public that a tsunami may be on its way, and alert local emergency management officials to take measures such as evacuating areas or moving ships to deeper waters. Organisations such as UN's the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) work with governments to coordinate tsunami warnings. Most tsunamis (around 80% of them) happen within the geologically active area in the Pacific Ocean known as the 'ring of fire'. But tsunamis are not unknown in Britain, according to the British Geological Survey. The BGS writes, 'Here, 8200 years ago off Norway, a massive submarine landslide generated a tsunami that was up to 30m high when it flooded northern Britain. This tsunami is best recorded in Shetland by sediments deposited as the land was flooded. 'In southern Britain, in the Dover Straits in 1580, it is believed that a cliff fall of the Chalk cliffs north of Dover caused a tsunami that flooded the coast of France.' The IOC and UNESCO advise that people should get to higher ground or move inland if there is a tsunami warning, or signs of a tsunami. People are advised to head to the third storey of a concrete and reinforced building if they cannot get to higher ground, or climb a strong tree if a building is not available. If that fails, people are advised to look for something to use as a raft. The IOC and UNESCO advise that people should stay out of danger zones until an all-clear is issued as tsunamis can last for hours. Areas are at greater risk if they are less than 7 metres (23 feet) above sea level and within 2km (1.2 miles) of the coastline. The first tsunami wave is often not the largest, the IOC/UNESCO advise, and waves can move several hundred feet inland, travelling up rivers and streams and 'wrapping round' islands to impact coasts not facing the wave. The biggest tsunami ever recorded happened in Lituya Bay, Alaska in 1958 after an earthquake triggered a rock slide. An enormous mass of rock measuring 2,400 feet by 3,000 feet and estimated to weigh as much as 90 million tons crashed into Gilbert Inlet, unleashing a huge tsunami wave. The landslide generated what remains the tallest wave ever documented, reaching heights of up to 1,719 feet within the enclosed bay. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami remains the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st century and the worst tsunami disaster in history. Arriving on Boxing Day, an undersea earthquake triggered waves of up to 100ft high and killed an estimated 227,898 people.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
'We were celebrating our engagement – then powerful earthquake rocked our hotel'
Adam Sleigh, from Blackpool, had been celebrating his engagement to his fiancée Michelle when a 'very powerful' earthquake hit the Palmera Beach Hotel in Hersonissos, Crete A British couple celebrating their engagement in Crete were left "frightened" as a "very powerful" 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook their hotel room "violently." Adam Sleigh, 34, from Blackpool, was staying at the Palmera Beach Hotel in Hersonissos with his fiancée Michelle when they heard a huge "bang" at around 2am this morning. The couple nearly "rolled out of bed" following a second tremor, as more tremors were felt as far as away as Israel, Syria and Egypt. Authorities issued a tsunami alert in the area after the earthquake struck off the coast of Greek island Crete. "Shocked" guests quickly came out of their hotel rooms to see what had happened. Adam told The Mirror: "At around 2am there was a bang which shook buildings, and shook our hotel room violently for a couple of minutes. We were in bed and nearly rolled out when a second tremor happened. "The bigger tremor shook the room, as people were coming out their rooms in shock. It last around five minutes and although the feeling was very powerful, I was very surprised there was no damage... It was frightening, I have never experienced an earthquake before and with it being early morning, most people were in bed." There have been no reported injuries or fatalities so far, but tourists were warned to stay away from coastal areas in the popular holiday spot. Greece 's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued a precautionary tsunami warning for the area, as people on the island were being urged to move to higher ground. "A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area," the Ministry said. The magnitude was later updated to 6.0. It added: "Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities." Samaria Gorge, one of Crete's most popular hiking routes, is temporarily closed as authorities check for any damage done to the route. "The Natural Environment and Climate Change Organisation announces that due to the earthquake that occurred today south of Kasos, the gorge will remain closed to visitors in order to check the route for possible rockfalls," authorities said. "A further announcement will be made late this afternoon." Adam, who had proposed to his partner last Thursday, said they were warned by Greek authorities of a possible tsunami - but added that it appears to have been "downplayed." He added: "We were warned by local authorities a tsunami would hit, which I think this has now been downplayed. However, we have noticed the waves being rougher than normal, but I think from what our hotel is saying its business as normal and flights are still all on time. There isn't believed to be an impending danger for a tsunami or landslides."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Crete earthquake: Is it safe to travel to the Greek island following tsunami warning?
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Greek island of Crete early this morning, Wednesday 14 May. Authorities issued a tsunami alert in the area shortly after the tremor, which was felt as far away as Israel, Syria and Egypt. Tourists are being warned to stay away from coastal areas in the popular holiday spot. Here is the latest travel information from the local government. The earthquake was at a depth of 35 kilometres with its epicentre near the islands of Kasos and Karpathos in the Aegean Sea. Greece's Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued a precautionary tsunami warning for the area, including the east coast of Crete and the island of Rhodes. Authorities urged residents and tourists on the island to keep away from the coastline and move to higher ground. "A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area," the Ministry posted on its X account this morning. The magnitude was later updated to 6.0. "Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities." Samaria Gorge, one of Crete's most popular hiking routes, is temporarily closed as officials check for any damage done to the route. "The Natural Environment and Climate Change Organisation announces that due to the earthquake that occurred today south of Kasos, the gorge will remain closed to visitors in order to check the route for possible rockfalls,' authorities said. 'A further announcement will be made late this afternoon." Foreign governments have not issued travel advisories as yet, so it is currently still considered safe to visit Greece and its islands. This also means that, should you choose not to go ahead with your trip, you are unlikely to receive compensation. There have been no reports so far of injuries or major damage from the earthquake, but authorities are monitoring the situation closely and have warned people should remain vigilant. Related Olive oil, honey and wine: How heat is hitting harvests on the Greek island of Kos One Day: How a Netflix series has boosted bookings on the Greek island of Paros If you are on holiday in or about to travel to Crete, Kasos or Karpathos, make sure you stay up to date with the latest information. Crete and its surrounding region are considered one of Europe's most seismically active zones. In October 2021, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook the island just weeks after another tremor killed one person and injured several others.
