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22 Dec 2024 | 07:52 PM UTC

Greece: Magnitude-5.2 offshore earthquake occurs southeast of Crete at around 21:09 Dec. 22

Magnitude-5.2 offshore earthquake occurs southeast of Crete, Greece, at around 21:09 Dec. 22. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Informational

A magnitude-5.2 offshore earthquake occurred southeast of Crete at around 21:09 Dec. 22. The epicenter was about 67 km (42 miles) southeast of Ierapetra, Greece. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking may have been felt on Crete and some of the other Aegean 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 likely 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 where shaking occurred.

Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.