Greece: Magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurs on Crete at around 05:07 July 24

Event

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurred on Crete at around 05:07 July 24. The epicenter was about 17 km (11 miles) southeast of Iraklion. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 8 km (5 miles), and moderate shaking was probably felt near the epicenter. Weak-to-light shaking likely occurred across the rest of Crete and the southern Aegean Islands. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.