Citizens have been warned to stay away from parts of Crete in Greece after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake – emergency services remained on high alert this morning.
Tourists have been warned to “move away from the coast immediately” as a tsunami warning was issued for parts of Greece.
The warning was issued this morning along parts of the coast, including Crete, after a powerful 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the area earlier today, sparking fears of a possible tsunami, with Greece’s Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issuing an emergency warning, with a particular focus on the Kasos region.
Authorities are urging residents and tourists in affected areas to stay away from the coast and head to higher ground as a precaution.
“A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck 48 km southeast of Kasos. There is a risk of a possible tsunami in your area,” the ministry said on its X-network account this morning. “Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of local authorities.”
The epicenter of the quake was offshore, close to the coast of Crete, but tremors were reportedly felt on several surrounding islands. Emergency services remain on high alert, with aftershocks expected.
There are currently no reports of injuries or major property damage, but officials are closely monitoring the situation and warning citizens to remain vigilant.
The Greek island of Crete and the surrounding region have long been known as one of the most seismically active areas in Europe. In October 2021, Crete was hit by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake, just weeks after a deadly quake in September of the same year killed one person and injured at least a dozen others.
The September 2021 earthquake devastated villages near Heraklion, damaging hundreds of homes and leaving many families homeless.
Schools and public buildings were also damaged, and residents were forced to sleep outdoors for fear of further earthquakes.
One of the most powerful earthquakes in recent memory struck the area near the island of Karpathos in October 2021, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale. Although there were no fatalities, the quake was felt on nearby islands, including Kasos and Rhodes, Klix.ba writes.
