Tsunami Alert Issued Following 6.0-Magnitude Earthquake Off the Coast of Crete, Greece

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the northern coast of Crete early Thursday morning, prompting European monitoring agencies to issue a tsunami alert. The tremor occurred at 8:49 a.m. local time (5:49 a.m. GMT), with its epicenter located approximately 58 kilometers northeast of Elounda and at a depth of 69 kilometers beneath the sea, according to the US Geological Survey.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) issued a tsunami warning, advising residents and visitors in Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, and Portugal to consult local authorities for safety updates. In response, the Greek government released an advisory urging people to move inland and seek elevated ground as a precautionary measure.

The earthquake was widely felt across the Aegean region, reaching areas in Turkey and Israel. On the EMSC platform, residents from eastern Crete reported being shaken awake, though there were no immediate evacuation orders. Authorities confirmed that while the tremor was strongly felt, no injuries or major structural damage had been reported.

Emergency services in Crete, including the fire brigade, remain on high alert but have not received emergency calls so far. In a safety measure, the Imbros Gorge in Sfakia, a favored hiking destination, has been closed temporarily. Additional inspections are underway in popular tourist areas such as the Samaria Gorge to determine if further closures are necessary.

Reports also indicate that the quake was felt as far as Athens. Efthimios Lekkas, head of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, commented on national broadcaster ERT that the quake’s underwater depth significantly reduced the likelihood of a tsunami.

Manolis Menegakis, the mayor of Agios Nikolaos, confirmed to local media that while the quake was strong, no substantial damage has been observed. He emphasized that local authorities are maintaining a high level of alertness.

According to the Greek newspaper Ta Nea, municipalities in regions such as Heraklion and Lassithi are conducting thorough inspections of school buildings to ensure safety. Although no structural issues have been found so far, some school excursions have been canceled as a preventive step. Authorities in Agios Nikolaos are also evaluating whether to temporarily suspend school operations.

This event follows a similar 6.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred just a week earlier near the island of Kasos, also in southern Greece. The region, especially Crete, is known for its seismic activity due to its location along the complex boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates.

While most quakes in the region are relatively minor, stronger ones have historically caused significant damage. One of the most catastrophic was the Great Kefalonia Earthquake of 1953, which reached a magnitude of 7.2 and resulted in around 800 fatalities. That disaster also triggered tsunamis and widespread destruction, particularly affecting the Ionian Islands including Zakynthos and Ithaca.

As of now, Greek officials continue to monitor the situation closely while urging the public to stay informed and follow safety directives.

One of the most devastating historic examples in the region was the Great Kefalonia Earthquake of 1953.

Greece is one of the most seismically active regions in Europe, situated along a complex fault boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. While most quakes are mild, stronger ones – such as the deadly 2021 quake also centred near Crete – have caused damage in the past.

That quake, which struck the Ionian Islands on 12 August 1953, reached a magnitude of 7.2 and remains one of the strongest in Greek history. It killed an estimated 800 people, destroyed nearly 90 per cent of buildings on Kefalonia, and left thousands homeless.

It also triggered tsunamis and powerful aftershocks, spreading destruction across nearby islands like Zakynthos and Ithaca.