An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 Richter struck Western Crete at 7.30 pm local time (14:29:55 GMT) yesterday evening, 28th August. With an epicentre 14 km east-northeast of Gavdos and a focal depth of 13.6 km, the tremor was felt strongly in Gavdos and Sfakia and was also noticeable in the city of Chania and as far west as Platanias.

In the city of Chania the Fire Service did not receive any emergency calls but fire crews were conducting patrols in the villages in the south of the Nomos in case of any incidents. Speaking to Haniotika Nea on Wednesday evening the mayor of Gavdos Lilian Stefanaki said that the tremor on the island “was very strong” and residents were out on the streets. “I was outside and it was as if the earth had risen up,” she said.

The mayor of Sfakia Giannis Zervos told the paper that the earthquake was strongly felt and that they would be checking any reports of cracks in buildings.

Aftershocks
Filippos Vallianatos, professor of Geophysics at the Hellenic Mediterranean University and director of the University’s Institute of Physics of the Earth’s Interior and Geohazards, said that the earthquake was recorded at 7.30 pm in the sea area of Gavdos and “in the first half hour we had aftershocks of the order of 3 and 3.2 Richter. The epicentre was in the sea are between Gavdos and Sfakia, but nearer to Gavdos. The area is noted for its seismicity and has continuous earthquakes.”

Samaria Gorge closed
The Organisation for the Natural Environment and Climate Change (NECCA) announced on Wednesday night that the Samaria Gorge would be closed on Thursday 29th August “because of expected aftershocks and the need to ensure maximum safety for visitors and workers and the natural environment of the Samaria National Park”. Both entrances to the Gorge will be closed until further notice, it said.
(Haniotika Nea 29/08/24)