A powerful 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck near the Greek islands of Kasos and Karpathos early Wednesday morning, triggering a temporary tsunami warning and widespread concern across the eastern Mediterranean region. The tremor, which occurred at a depth of 35 kilometres beneath the sea surface, was felt as far as Egypt and has renewed focus on the seismic vulnerability of Greece’s southern islands.
The Athens Geodynamic Institute confirmed the earthquake’s magnitude and epicentre, pinpointing it approximately 48 kilometres southeast of Kasos. In response, Greece’s Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued an urgent advisory urging residents and tourists in coastal areas to “move away from the coast immediately” and follow the guidance of local authorities.
Panic and Precaution Along the Coast
Despite no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage, the tsunami alert prompted a wave of precautionary evacuations, particularly in eastern Crete and the Dodecanese Islands. Authorities, citing standard safety protocol, monitored potential aftershocks and minor sea disturbances.
Speaking from Heraklion, Crete’s regional governor Stavros Arnaoutakis stated: “Our emergency teams were activated within minutes. We are grateful there have been no injuries reported so far, but we urge continued vigilance.” He also assured residents that rescue services, coast guard units, and seismologists are closely coordinating to assess any evolving risks.
Tom O’Neill, a 26-year-old tourist from London vacationing in eastern Crete, recounted the moment the quake struck: “I woke up feeling dizzy, and my bed was shaking. I thought it was just a bad dream until things started falling off shelves. It only lasted about a minute, but it was enough to cancel our beach plans.”
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Widespread Seismic Activity
Greece lies on one of Europe’s most seismically active zones, positioned along the boundary where the African tectonic plate meets the Eurasian plate. This fault line regularly produces tremors of varying intensity, though most are mild. However, Wednesday’s event follows a series of seismic disruptions in the region, including increased activity earlier this year around the popular island of Santorini.
In 2021, Crete experienced a 6.3-magnitude quake that caused significant damage and left one person dead. Experts warn that while the majority of tremors pass without serious incident, the potential for stronger, more destructive earthquakes persists.
Dr. Nikos Papadakis, a seismologist at the University of Athens, explained: “What we’re seeing is not unusual in geological terms, but the proximity of these quakes to populated and touristic areas means we must maintain constant readiness.”
Travellers Urged to Stay Informed
While flights and ferry services continue to operate normally across Greece, tourism officials are encouraging visitors to monitor official alerts, especially those heading to or staying in Crete, Kasos, and Karpathos. Greece’s Ministry of Tourism confirmed that no travel ban or restriction has been enforced, but stressed the importance of heeding local advisories.
Travel agents have also been instructed to communicate emergency procedures to clients and provide updates on possible changes to itineraries in the affected areas.
“We remain open and welcoming,” said a spokesperson for the Hellenic Tourism Organization, “but safety always comes first.”
Aftermath and Continuing Assessment
Authorities in Greece and neighbouring countries are earth continuing to monitor the region earth for aftershocks and possible underwater landslides, which could influence sea levels. Early assessments earth suggest that while a tsunami did not materialize, the warning was issued as a precaution due to the depth and location of the quake.
Images shared by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) show earth the quake’s seismic waves propagating outward from the epicentre near Kasos. GFZ confirmed the magnitude and depth, noting no significant deformation of the sea floor, which would typically be a prerequisite for a major tsunami.
Wednesday’s earthquake also comes on the heels of several extreme weather events across Greece, including damaging storms last month and ongoing recovery from last year’s wildfires. The confluence of natural disasters has placed increased strain on emergency response systems, though local and national teams appear to have responded swiftly and effectively to the latest crisis.
As the Aegean region continues to experience tectonic shifts, residents and tourists alike are reminded of the importance of preparedness in a country where the earth’s movement is a near-daily reality.
