Seismic tremor hits off Crete’s coast, epicentre near Ierapetra

A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 struck off the coast of Crete, Greece, the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported on June 3.

The tremor’s epicentre was located 16 kilometres southeast of the city of Ierapetra, which has a population of around 12,300.

The earthquake originated at a depth of 7 kilometres beneath the surface.

No casualties or damage have been reported, and authorities have not issued a tsunami warning.

The tremor came just hours after a stronger earthquake struck southwestern Türkiye, causing casualties and widespread panic.

According to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), a 5.8-magnitude quake occurred at 2:17 a.m. local time off the coast of Marmaris in Muğla Province. The epicentre was located 10.4 kilometres offshore, at a depth of nearly 68 kilometres beneath the Mediterranean Sea.

The quake was felt across Muğla and Antalya provinces, sending residents fleeing into the streets. In the chaos, many sustained injuries while trying to escape from buildings.

Muğla Governor İdris Akbıyık confirmed on social media that a 14-year-old child died of a panic-induced heart attack during the quake. He also stated that 69 people were injured, most as a result of jumping from balconies or windows in fear. Of those injured, 46 were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Despite the widespread alarm, no significant structural damage has been reported in the affected areas, the governor added.

By Tamilla Hasanova