Newsroom
A strong earthquake shook the island of Crete at 9:17 am this morning, sending residents running outside their homes.
The quake registered a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale and was felt all over the island, including its capital Iraklion.
Preliminary reports show extensive damage around the area of Arkalochori and its surrounding villages and, according to local media, they concern buildings, temples and PPC pillars that have receded.
Speaking to kathimerini.gr, the deputy mayor of Minos Pediados, Mr. Ioannis Drakakis, confirmed there was information about damage in Arkalochori, while serious damage was recorded in the church of Agia Fotini in Roussochoria.
The mayor of Archanes Asterousia, Mr. Manolis Kokosalis, said that significant damage to water supply lines and buildings have been reported in his administrative district. All schools have been evacuated and inspections to structural damage is ongoing.
There are reports of 2 people that are trapped in structures, one in the church of Profitis Ilias in Arkalochori, parts of which collapsed, according to Neakriti.gr.
The tremor was followed by 2 aftershocks measuring 3.7 and 4.0.
A worker carrying out restoration work on Profitis Ilias in Arkalochori has died.
