Greek Island of Crete Struck by Magnitude-5.2 Earthquake; No Injuries or Damage Reported Immediately
ATHENS, Greece—Authorities reported that a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Greek resort island of Crete on Wednesday. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The Athens Geodynamic Institute stated that the undersea quake occurred at 7:29 p.m. local time between Crete and the islet of Gavdos, with a depth of 11.6 kilometers (7 miles).
The Fire Service confirmed that no injuries or building damage had been reported. The tremor was reportedly felt across Crete, known for being a popular summer tourist destination.
Greece is located in one of the most seismically active regions globally, leading to common earthquakes, although most go unnoticed. Luckily, fatalities and severe damage from earthquakes are rare.
However, in 1999, a magnitude-5.9 earthquake near Athens resulted in the tragic loss of 143 lives.