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A substantial 6.1 magnitude tremor reverberated off the coast of Crete on Thursday, May 22nd, a mere week after a comparable undersea event near the island rippled through the region, even reaching as far as Egypt. In February, a series of almost continuous earthquakes rattled the highly sought-after island of Santorini, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency due to the unusual seismic activity. Travelers to Greece should be prepared to understand and respond to seismic events.
Staying Safe During Earthquakes in Greece: Advice for Tourists
Tourists are now strongly encouraged to understand optimal self-preservation strategies when these disturbances occur, as they can be highly disconcerting. The Crete tremor triggered a tsunami advisory and caused damage to structures in the island’s historic port. Rémy Bossu, Secretary-General of the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, remarked to Euronews that each visit to Greece involves entering a seismically active zone.
However, “The hazards are not significantly higher than they were yesterday, or in February.”
It remains crucial for tourists planning Greek island visits to understand appropriate protective measures.
Protecting Yourself During a Seismic Event
“Falling objects pose the most immediate risk if you are inside. To mitigate this, seek shelter under a table and avoid open spaces where possible,” Mr. Bossu advised.
“Earthquakes of this magnitude do not inherently cause injuries, but collapsing roof tiles or balcony fragments can. Therefore, understanding how to react during an earthquake and adhering to official guidance is essential.”
Understanding Tsunami Warnings
Regarding tsunami alerts, the Secretary-General clarified that these are automatically activated in the Mediterranean when an undersea earthquake reaches a magnitude of 6.
The expert elaborated: “Typically, a magnitude 6 event does not generate a large tsunami. The recommendation at this level is to avoid harbors, as they can experience whirlpools, and to stay off beaches due to potential sea-level surges.”
Real-Life Experiences Shared Online
Earthquake Felt Across the Aegean Sea
Thursday’s tremor was felt across the Aegean Sea and as far as Athens. A British tourist documented her experience of being awakened by the earthquake on TikTok, captioning the video: “Scariest experience of my life.”
In the video, she recounted: “Excuse the state of me. I’ve just been woken up by a f***ing earthquake. I am absolutely petrified. I was literally asleep and I woke up to the room shaking. I thought the TV was going to fall off. […] I’m so f**ing scarred.”
Another commenter stated: “It woke us up but our hotel is at the beach and I’m scared of a tsunami.”