Crete Earthquake Sparks Tsunami Fears – Tourists and Locals on Edge

Thursday, May 23, 2025 – A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Crete, jolting people awake early in the morning and raising fears of a possible tsunami across parts of southern Europe.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the quake hit at 6:19 AM local time (0319 GMT), about 49 miles off Heraklion, the largest city on the island. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the earthquake occurred 68 kilometres (42 miles) deep under the seabed.

Tsunami Warning Issued

The EMSC issued a tsunami alert for Greece, Turkey, Italy, and even parts of France and Portugal. Residents and tourists were told to follow updates from their local authorities.

Tourists Left Terrified

Holidaymakers and locals reported intense shaking that lasted up to 30 seconds. One British tourist in Elounda said the “whole room was shaking.”

A mother staying in Hersonissos posted on TikTok: “That was very scary. I was terrified… Two earthquakes in a week. I just want to go home.”

Another woman in Rethymno told MailOnline that the walls of her hotel shook and an emergency alert went off on her phone, warning of the earthquake. She added: “It lasted quite a while. We were shocked but luckily our kids didn’t wake up.”

Minor Damage Reported

While no serious injuries or deaths have been reported, household items fell from shelves, and minor rockslides blocked rural roads. In local supermarkets, images showed products scattered across the floor.

CCTV footage shared on social media showed power lines shaking and cameras wobbling.

Firefighters and emergency teams were put on high alert across the island, but no calls for help were received as of Thursday morning, said Greek state news outlet ANA.

No School Closures in Heraklion

Mayor Alexis Kalokerinos said there was no need to close schools as no damage had been reported in the city.

A leading geologist from the National Observatory of Athens, Athanassios Ganas, said: “The quake occurred at a great depth, so there’s no reason for panic.”

Earthquake-Prone Region

This earthquake comes just one week after another 6.1-magnitude tremor near the island of Kasos. No casualties were reported from that quake either.

Thousands of smaller quakes have been recorded since January in the Cyclades region, including Santorini and Amorgos.

The Aegean Sea, where the African and Anatolian tectonic plates meet, is one of the most earthquake-prone zones in Europe. Experts say this is one of the strongest quakes in the region since 1964.