Strong earthquake strikes eastern Aegean

·

The quake struck just off coast of west Turkey on the Greek island of Samos in the eastern Aegean Sea, about 11 miles off the coast of western Izmir, at 1.51pm local time.

The Deputy Mayor of Eastern Samos said multiple buildings had collapsed in the area according to local news outlets. 

He also reported large waves. 

The quake was so powerful it also rocked the Turkish city of Izmir with shocking footage and pictures showing rubble after the collapse of multiple buildings. 

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the tremor was felt as far away as Athens and Istanbul. 

Reports also said tremors were felt on the Greek island of Crete. 

President of Samos hospital workers described the scenes of panic. 

He told SKAI: “A few minutes ago we experienced a very big earthquake similar to that Samos has been experiencing for many years. People are panicking. They have gone out in the squares, in the streets. It was an earthquake that lasted several minutes. Very strong.”

There were also unconfirmed reports of rockfalls on Chios, while the powerful earthquake, which was felt some 300 kilometers away in Athens and has been given a magnitude of 7 Richter by the European and American seismological agencies – a bit higher than the National Observatory of Athens’ revised reading of 6.7 Richter – also affected Kos and other islands in the area.

Greek seismologist Efthymios Lekkas told Greek state television ERT that it was still too early to say whether this was the main earthquake, although he said it was likely it was.

The earthquake appears to have struck nearby Turkey especially hard, with the state-run Anadolu Agency reporting that five buildings have collapsed or been badly damaged in the seaside town of Izmir and people are trapped in the rubble.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Over $45,000 raised to make Pontian House accessible for all

A total of $45,476 has been raised by Pontoxeniteas NSW at its Winter Wonderland Gala 2025 to install a platform lift at the Pontian House.

Star Pharmacy Group CEO Peter Piliouras takes on Chemist Warehouse in expansion plan

Peter Piliouras, CEO of Star Pharmacy Group, is aiming to double the group’s chain, taking on industry giant Chemist Warehouse.

Landlord Margarita Constanti Salamakis taken to court as bakery owner fights eviction

Margarita Constanti Salamakis is facing legal action in NSW Supreme Court after issuing an eviction notice to Marrickville bakery Miss Sina.

Mario Alexandridis at centre of Strike Force Candice raids across Sydney

Low-profile entrepreneur Marios Alexandridis has been charged in a major money laundering and unexplained wealth investigation.

SA seafood heir Sarantis Parissos jailed over police hit-and-run

Former professional footballer and seafood heir Sarantis Parissos has been sentenced to over six years in jail after a series of offences.

You May Also Like

Former finance minister Mathias Cormann to be next OECD Secretary General

Australia's former finance minister Mathias Cormann has been elected as the new head of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

How the Greek myth of Persephone inspired Eleni Karathanasi’s new Sydney exhibition

The exhibition will shine a light on Persephone, the goddess of spring and the underworld and her mythological story.

Greek National Day celebrations return to Melbourne Shrine area after 5-year absence

After a five-year absence, Greek National Day celebrations will return to the vicinity of the Shrine of Remembrance.