Greek fire brigade on high alert after 6.1 magnitude quake strikes off Crete

Reuters
Published on May. 22, 2025, 2:49 PM
Updated on May. 22, 2025, 2:50 PM

Tremors were felt across Turkey and Israel

ATHENS (Reuters) - Emergency services were on high alert in Crete on Thursday after a 6.1 magnitude quake hit off the Greek island, causing tremors felt across Turkey and Israel.

The fire brigade said it has not received any calls for assistance so far nor reports of any serious property damage.

USGS: Magnitude-6.1 earthquake strikes Greece

(Credit: USGS)

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The tremor, which hit 79 km (49 miles) off the city of Heraklion at 6:19 a.m. (0319 GMT) on Thursday, jolted locals and tourists holidaying on the island at the start of the summer season, according to reports on X.

CCTV video posted on Facebook showed plant pots on a balcony shaking for seconds.

Greece is one of Europe's most earthquake-prone countries and an unprecedented level of seismic activity shook the popular tourist island of Santorini for weeks earlier this year, prompting thousands to evacuate and shutting schools.

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(Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou and Renee Maltezou; Editing by Sonali Paul)