Greece experienced a day of seismic activity on Tuesday, with a powerful 5.8 magnitude earthquake striking near Rhodes in the early hours of the morning, followed by a separate 5.3 magnitude tremor south of Crete later in the day.
Experts have emphasized that despite the temporal proximity, the two events are independent.
At 2:17 AM on Tuesday, a significant 5.8 magnitude earthquake sent shockwaves through the Greek island of Rhodes and Turkey’s western coast, particularly affecting the town of Marmaris. The tremor, characterized by its long duration and intensity, caused widespread alarm, prompting many residents to evacuate their homes.
On Rhodes, fearful residents were jolted from their beds. Locals described the earthquake as unprecedented in its intensity and duration, though residents reportedly faced the event with composure. The Rhodes Fire Department conducted overnight checks across the city, and while no serious injuries were reported on the island, there were instances of minor infrastructure damage.
Across the border in Turkey, the strong seismic tremor was significantly felt in the Mugla region and the town of Marmaris. Residents there similarly took to the streets in fear. Idris Akbiyik, Marmaris’ governor, confirmed that one person was killed and several were treated for injuries after jumping out of windows or balconies in a state of panic.
Professor Efthymios Lekkas, the president of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), offered a calm assessment of the Rhodes situation. Speaking to ERT, he highlighted the earthquake’s significant focal depth of just over 40 miles (64.9 kilometers), located 13 miles (21 kilometers) north of Rhodes, according to the revised solution of the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens.
“It is an earthquake whose main characteristic is its depth,” Lekkas stated. “This depth allows us to say that although it was felt in a wider area of the Dodecanese and Turkey, it will not have significant effects on the surface; there will be no tsunami and, above all, there will be no rich aftershock sequence.” He further emphasized that, in all likelihood, this was the main earthquake.
Giorgos Hadjimarkos, the Regional Governor of the South Aegean, confirmed that assessment teams and the entire state apparatus were on the ground evaluating the damage. He reported that only very minor material damage had been reported up to the early hours of the morning.
Addressing concerns from tourists, many of whom are unaccustomed to earthquakes, Hadjimarkos added, “Mr. Lekkas’ statement reassures us that we will not have a stronger aftershock. We are on alert, and the only thing we have to deal with immediately is the fear of our visitors…We are trying to explain to them that it is a normal phenomenon and that they are not in any danger and that construction in Greece is among the best in Europe.”
Later in the day, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale struck Crete. According to the Geodynamic Institute, this tremor had a focal depth of 9.2 kilometers and its epicenter was located 14 kilometers off Chrysi, Lassithi, in the sea.
Efthymios Lekkas reiterated that the Crete earthquake is an independent event, telling newsit.gr, “It is an independent process, it has no connection with the previous ones. It is not connected either to the earthquakes in Arkalochori three days ago, or to Rhodes, or to other events. There is no need for any concern; its epicenter is south of Ierapetra.”
However, Vasilis Karastathis, Director of the Geodynamic Institute, noted to Ertnews that it is too early to make definitive estimates for the Crete quake. He explained that due to its shallow focal depth, an aftershock sequence is expected, and the phenomenon requires ongoing monitoring.
Professor Akis Tselentis advised caution for beachgoers in the Crete area. He stated, “The latest 5.4 earthquake in Chrysi is in an area that has had many relatively small earthquakes in the last four years. I believe that it was the main earthquake. The well-known seismic fault has exhausted its potential; aftershocks are expected. Caution for those who bathe at the beaches. Let small children, who are vulnerable to small-amplitude tsunamis, be removed.” Tselentis attributed these quakes to the upper part of the submerged plate.
