Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
A powerful earthquake in Crete, registering 6.1 on the Richter scale, has rattled the Greek island and spurred concern among travelers. The seismic event occurred at 6:19 a.m. local time on Thursday, May 22, causing many British tourists in Crete to express anxiety and a desire to return home.
Crete Earthquake Details
According to the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens, the epicenter of the quake was located 56 kilometers north-northeast of Heraklion, Crete, at a depth of 69 kilometers. The tremor was strongly felt across Crete, notably in Chania and Rethymno. Neighboring islands and even mainland Greece also experienced the seismic activity.
Tsunami Alert and Initial Response
Following the Crete earthquake, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) issued a tsunami advisory, urging residents in Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, and Portugal to heed instructions from local emergency response teams. Preliminary reports indicated no immediate injuries or significant damage. However, the Greek fire brigade elevated all units across Crete to a state of heightened readiness.
Tourist Reactions and Social Media Impact
Numerous individuals, including British tourists vacationing on Crete and nearby islands, have turned to social media platforms to share their experiences. Many expressed feelings of unease and a strong urge to return to their home countries.
Personal Accounts of the Earthquake
- Nicole Steele, on vacation with her husband and children, recounted being awakened by the earthquake. “We’ve just been woken up again at the back of six o’clock this morning. That was absolutely terrifying… This earthquake was shaking, maybe for about ten seconds. Woke everybody up.” She expressed heightened anxiety due to the recent seismic activity, stating, “I’m at the point that there’s been two earthquakes in the past week, and I just want to get home safely… And it has put me off coming back. I would have anxiety anyway, so this is just making it 100 times worse.”
- Charlotte Lilley also shared her experience on TikTok, describing her fear upon waking up to the earthquake. “I’ve just been woken up by a f***ing earthquake. I am absolutely petrified,” she stated. She also expressed concern about the potential for a tsunami.
Concerns and Reactions from Online Communities
The online commentary following these posts revealed concerns from individuals with planned trips to Greece:
- One user inquired, “Have there been more earthquakes in the past week? We usually leave for Hersonissos on Monday but I’m afraid.”
- Another wrote, “We’re going to Rhodes in two weeks and I’m so scared.”
- A third commented, “It woke us up but our hotel is at the beach and I’m scared of a tsunami.”
However, some commenters offered a more composed perspective. One user noted, “This is where we are and this is where it happened. All the locals not phased by it and said not to worry as Crete is one of the highest prone places to have them.”