Two earthquakes rattles the island of Crete with intensity 5.3 and 4.7 on the Richter scale at noon on Saturday, June 20, 2026. The Gorge of Samaria was closed and the several hundreds hikers were evacuated safely.
The epicenter of the two tremors was in the sea area off the island of Gavdos.
No injuries or material damages have been reported by early evening Saturday.
However, the Samaria Gorge was closed for precautionary reasons. Managing authority OFYPEKA announced that after the seismic tremors, the Samaria Gorge was closed as a precaution.
It should be noted that at the time the first earthquake occurred, 566 visitors were in the gorge and they were all evacuated safely and were escorted by authority staff.
The staff reacted quickly and calmly. Immediately, they escorted those who had reached the 6th kilometer, approximately 100 people, to the exit. The rest, who were near the settlement of Samaria, were led, with the guidance of National Park employees, towards the southern exit of Agia Roumeli, Chania, the statement said.
