CRETE, May 22, 2025 — A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Crete jolted residents early Thursday morning, the US Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed. The quake struck at 3:19 a.m. GMT (8:19 a.m. PKT), shaking the ground 82 kilometers northeast of Heraklion, the island’s capital. Authorities reported no immediate major damage, though the tremor startled people as far away as Athens and even Egypt.
Residents Wake to Tremors
The quake’s epicenter lay at a depth of 68 kilometers (42 miles), a factor experts say reduced its destructive potential. Nevertheless, many residents in the regions of Rethymno and Lasithi evacuated their homes after the ground shook just after 6:00 a.m. local time. Greek state broadcaster ERT aired footage showing people gathering outdoors and minor items scattered on supermarket floors.
No Severe Damage Reported
Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokerinos addressed public concern, stating that the city faced no serious problems. “There is no need to close schools today,” he announced on national television. The Fire Department placed its Crete units on general alert and sent vehicles to patrol and monitor affected areas. Local media also cited small rockslides on rural roads.
Experts Reassure Public
Athanassios Ganas, general director of Research at the Geodynamics Institute of the National Observatory of Athens, reassured the public during a live interview. “The quake occurred at a significant depth, and there is no immediate cause for concern,” he explained.
The tremor comes shortly after another 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck near the island of Kasos last week. The Aegean region — particularly the Cyclades group, which includes Santorini and Amorgos — has recorded thousands of minor earthquakes since January. Despite the frequent activity, experts note that significant damage has remained rare.
The Aegean Sea, situated along the collision zone of the African and Anatolian tectonic plates, frequently experiences seismic disturbances. However, experts state that the region has not experienced a phenomenon of such magnitude since modern records began in 1964.
Despite minimal damage, the earthquake in Crete once again highlights the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity and the importance of preparedness.
