A strong earthquake shook with a magnitude of 4.9 on the Richetr scale Chania on the island of Crete at 10:49 am on Sunday, August 13, 2023.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located 11 km east-southeast of Sougia Chania, 22 kms east of Paleochora, Its focal depth is estimated at 5 km.
There were no initial reports of injuries or material damage.
However, local media zarpanews.gr, reported short before 1 p.m. that a hiker in Samaria gorge was injured when a part of a rock detached after the earthquake. A Rescue Operation is currently underway with the participation firefighters, rescuers and one helicopter.
The tremor was particularly felt throughout the prefecture of Chania, with some media to report that it was also felt in the prefectures of Rethymno and Heraklio.
It is worth noting that the Civil Protection sent an emergency message via <112>, warning residents of south Chania to avoid “dangerous areas (gorges, ravines, rocks) as there is a landslides danger.”
⚠️ Ενεργοποίηση 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣
📍νότια #Χανιά
🆘 Λόγω σεισμικής δόνησης στην περιοχής σας, αποφύγετε επικίνδυνες περιοχές (φαράγγια, βράχους)
❗Κίνδυνος κατολισθήσεων
‼️ Ακολουθείτε τις οδηγίες των Αρχών
ℹ️ https://t.co/niLv95cyUd@pyrosvestiki@hellenicpolice
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) August 13, 2023
President of the Organization for Antiseismic Planning and Protection (OASP), Efthymios Lekkas, appeared reassuring about the strong earthquake. about the earthquake that shook Chania shortly before 11 am.
“There was a smaller earthquake earlier in the morning. We are monitoring the phenomenon, but it doesn’t seem to be anything to worry about,” Lekkas reportedly stressed.
