Strong 5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Athens and Evia
Earlier today, shortly before 12:30 a.m. local time, residents of Athens and the island of Evia were startled by a significant earthquake that registered 5.2 on the Richter scale. The tremor, which originated off the southwestern coast of Evia—Greece’s second-largest island—was centered just five kilometers northwest of Nea Styra at a shallow depth of 13.6 kilometers, according to the Athens-based Institute of Geodynamics.
The quake was initially preceded by a smaller 2.6-magnitude tremor a couple of hours earlier, gradually building in intensity before the main shock was felt across the region. The shaking in Athens, southwest of the epicenter, was reported as particularly strong, causing many residents to wake in the middle of the night. Despite the intensity of the tremor, no immediate injuries or structural damages have been reported.
Local authorities responded quickly to the situation. Stergios Tsirkas, mayor of Marathonas, located across the South Euboean Gulf from Nea Styra, described the quake as “very intense” but confirmed that no damage was observed. Similarly, the mayor of Karystos indicated that his office had not received any reports of harm or property destruction. In Evia, Deputy Governor Giorgos Kelaiditis confirmed that local officials, after checking with residents, had found no immediate impact, although the tremor was strongly felt in towns such as Chalkida.
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Seismologists have noted that aftershocks are to be expected. Within 15 minutes following the main quake, two smaller tremors of 2.5 and 2.6 magnitude were recorded, along with four additional tremors ranging between 1.6 and 2.0. Professor Efthimis Lekkas, an expert in seismic activity, emphasized that while this area is not typically prone to large earthquakes, aftershocks exceeding magnitude 4.0 could still occur in the coming hours or days.
Precautionary measures were promptly implemented. Vehicles from Civil Protection have been dispatched to Eastern Attica and Southern Evia, while specialized units, including the First and Seventh EMAK teams, have been placed on standby. Coordination with local authorities and police has been activated to ensure rapid response if needed.
For many residents of Nea Styra, the quake was particularly unsettling. Some reported spending the night outdoors, citing this as the strongest earthquake they had personally experienced in the region. The event has served as a stark reminder of Greece’s vulnerability to seismic activity and the importance of preparedness, even in areas not frequently affected by major quakes.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and residents are advised to stay alert for potential aftershocks. While the immediate impact has been minimal, the full scope of the seismic activity will only become clearer as seismologists analyze the data over the next several hours.
This earthquake underscores the unpredictable nature of seismic events in Greece and the importance of maintaining both awareness and readiness in quake-prone regions.
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