6.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Crete: travel warnings and fears

6.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Crete: travel warnings and fears

On May 22, 2023, the earth shook off the Greek island of Crete with a magnitude 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 Sea. The tremors were felt not only on Crete, but also on the Greek mainland in Athens, as well as in the Peloponnese, the Cyclades and even Cyprus. Many people reportedly ran into the streets out of fear. Some residents reported that the quake felt like it lasted a long time, while a video from Cretapost documented the tremors and the alarms being triggered.

Greece's Civil Protection Ministry issued a tsunami warning as a precautionary measure and sent text message alerts to people in the area, but it was deemed unlikely. Thanasis Ganas, head of research at the Geodynamic Institute in Athens, gave the all-clear about possible aftershocks. Nevertheless, a total of nine aftershocks were recorded in the following hours, with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.5.

Damage and reactions

The effects of the quake were clearly felt in various cities. There was property damage in Heraklion, including a collapsed part of an old building in the city center. Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos confirmed that school buildings were being inspected for damage as a precaution. Products also fell off the shelves in supermarkets. Fortunately, major damage is not expected on Crete, as Efthymios Lekkas from the Greek earthquake protection agency OASP explained.

The Imbros gorge in Sfakia has been temporarily closed and an extension of the survey to the national park is being considered. Despite the fire danger posed by earthquakes, Greece has remained largely immune to deadly consequences in recent years thanks to strict building regulations in place since the 1980s. The nation is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe, with over 100 tremors recorded between 1900 and 2021.

Travel information for those affected

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

Overall, the situation shows that Crete, despite its vulnerability to earthquakes, is well prepared and quick measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the population. How Reisenews.reisereporter.de reports, the feedback and reactions of the authorities are crucial to offer people security in this crisis situation. Also suedkurier.de highlights the importance of staying informed about the situation.