02 Oct 2022 | 04:37 AM UTC
Greece: Magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurs off Crete at around 07:04 Oct. 2
Magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurs off Crete in southern Greece at around 07:04 Oct. 2. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Event
A magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurred in the Mediterranean Sea off Crete at around 07:04 Oct. 2. The epicenter was about 89 km (55 miles) south-southeast of Ierapetra. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout eastern Crete and Karpathos islands. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.
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.
Advice
Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.
