Earthquake of strength 6.1 shakes Crete: travel warnings and fears

Earthquake of strength 6.1 shakes Crete: travel warnings and fears

Kreta, Griechenland - On May 22, 2023, the earth shook from the Greek island of Crete with a thickness of 6.1 on the Richter scale. This strong earthquake occurred at 7:50 a.m. local time at a depth of 68.9 kilometers and had its epicenter 58 kilometers northeast of the island town of Eloúnda in the southern Aegean. The shocks were not only noticeable in Crete, but also on the Greek mainland in Athens, as well as in the Peloponnes, the Cyclades and even in Cyprus. According to reports, many people ran on the streets for fear. Some residents reported on a long -term duration of the quake, while a video from Cretapost documented the vibrations and the triggered alarm systems.

The Greek Distrophes Protection Ministry published a tsunami warning as a precaution and sent warning messages via SMS to the people in the region, which was classified as unlikely. Thanasis Ganas, the research director of the geodynamic institute in Athens, gave the all -clear with regard to possible aftershocks. Nevertheless, a total of nine aftershocks were registered in the following hours, with strengths between 2.5 and 3.5.

damage and reactions

The effects of the quake were clearly noticeable in different cities. In Heraklion there was damage to property, including a collapsed part of an old building in the city center. The Mayor of Heraklion, Alexis Kalokairinos, confirmed that school buildings are examined as a precaution for damage. Products also fell from the shelves in supermarkets. Fortunately, greater damage to Crete is not expected, as Efthymios Lekkas explained by the Greek earthquake protection OASP.

The gorge of Imbros in Sfakia was temporarily closed and an expansion of the investigations to the national park is checked. Despite the risk of fire that the earthquakes bring with it, Greece has largely been protected from fatal consequences in recent years thanks to strict building regulations that have been in effect since the 1980s. The nation is one of the most earthiest countries in Europe, with over 100 registered earthquakes between 1900 and 2021.

travel information for those affected

For travelers in Crete, it is important to know that flat -rate travelers have the right to cancel their journey with a natural disaster and to request partial reimbursement. The tour operator is obliged to inform those affected and to support them in the return. Services already used must be paid, while additional costs for an earlier return trip have to be shared. Individual travelers, on the other hand, have no legal right to reimbursement and are dependent on the goodwill of the tour operators.

Overall, the situation shows that Crete is well prepared despite the susceptibility to earthquake and that quick measures are taken to ensure the safety of the population. As Reisenews.reiseporter.de reported, the reactions of the authorities are decisive to to offer people security in this crisis situation. Also suedurier.de emphasizes how important it is to remain informed about the situation.