Strong earthquake strikes off Crete Island in Greece, no casualties reported

Published 2020-05-03 03:26:40

Updated 2026-08-03 05:18:52

A 6.0 magnitude quake struck off the Greek island of Crete on Saturday but there were no quick reports of casualties or damage.

The Athens Geodynamic Institute stated the epicentre was about 55 kilometres south of the city of Ierapetra. It hit at 1251 GMT (15:51 pm).

A local police officer told AFP by telephone, “No victims or serious damage has been reported so far.”

Greece is prone to earthquakes, with many occurring offshore. The last deadly quake happened on the island of Kos in the Aegean Sea in July 2017. The 6.7-magnitude quake killed two people.

The most dangerous temblor in recent years struck the Athens region in 1999, killing 143 people.

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Monika Walker

Monika Walker is a senior journalist specializing in regional and international politics, offering in-depth analysis on governance, diplomacy, and key global developments. With a degree in International Journalism, she is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through factual reporting. She also covers world news across every genre, providing readers with balanced and timely insights that connect the Caribbean to global conversations.