The moment the earthquake struck Cyprus - video

Security cameras in a Paphos supermarket captured the moment a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Cyprus early this morning.

The videos, posted on social media, show how strong the earthquake was as it managed to shake the shelves causing products to fall to the floor.

Ch. Hadjigeorgiou: "Aftershocks can last for months"

Speaking to CNA, Deputy Director of the Cyprus Geological Survey Department Christodoulos Hadjigeorgiou said, "aftershocks can last for months", adding that seismologists are closely monitoring any new tremors after a 3.1 aftershock was recorded shortly after the main quake.

At 03:08 am Tuesday morning, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake shook Cyprus. The epicenter of the quake was located 50 km west-northwest of Polis Chrysochous at a depth of 25 km.  The tremor was strongly felt throughout the island especially in the province of Paphos. It was also felt throughout the eastern Mediterranean.

The Deputy Director of the Geological Survey Department said that although years had passed since an earthquake of this magnitude had hit the island, it could happen at any time given that Cyprus is in a seismic zone.

"No earthquake can be predicted at the precise moment. You cannot be sure that there will be an earthquake in 20 years. Our two major earthquakes were in 1996, which was southwest of Cyprus, and in 1995, which was catastrophic and much closer to the shoreline."

Mr. Hadjigeorgiou believed that the distance of the epicenter and its focal depth lessened the impact on the island and resulted in minimal damage to property.

Historical data for 1995 and 1996

According to historical data, on February 23, 1995, a devastating earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale hit the Paphos area resulting in 2 deaths. Several houses collapsed in the villages of Pano Arodes and Miliou. Damage was also found in the villages of Peristerona, Steni, Gialia, Argaka, Pomos, Pyrgos, Lefka, Neo Chorio Akama, Latsi and Poli Chrysochous.

Also on October 9, 1996, a strong earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit the southwestern part of Cyprus. It caused panic among the residents of Paphos and Limassol, as well as people living in apartment buildings in Nicosia, Larnaca and Paralimni. Two people died of secondary causes and 20 were slightly injured.  The quake caused minimal damage in the areas of Paphos and Limassol.