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Strong Earthquake Shakes Crete – Felt as Far as Athens

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck the Greek island of Crete early Thursday morning, with tremors felt as far away as the capital, Athens.

According to Greece’s Geodynamic Institute, the quake’s epicenter was located 56 kilometers north-northeast of Neapolis, in the Lassithi region of eastern Crete. The tremor was widely felt across the island and in large parts of the mainland.

A smaller aftershock with a magnitude of 3.0 followed shortly after the main quake. While no immediate reports of damage or injuries have been confirmed, the event caused considerable alarm among residents and tourists alike. Witnesses on Crete described the shaking as unusually prolonged.

Seismologists pointed to the earthquake’s significant depth as a mitigating factor. Efthymios Lekkas, president of the Greek Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), told broadcaster MEGA that while the quake was felt over a broad area, its depth likely rules out any tsunami risk.

“The region has experienced strong earthquakes before,” Lekkas noted. However, he emphasized that this particular event is not linked to the active tectonic arc south of Crete. “There is currently no cause for concern,” he said, adding that seismic activity is being closely monitored. “Such events are typically main shocks, not precursors to stronger quakes, and we do not expect a prolonged series of aftershocks.”

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge the public to remain calm while safety assessments are underway.