European country rocked by massive tremors felt in sunny holiday hotspots

29 March 2024 , 08:33

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Village on the Mediterranean sea in the Kalamata Coast (Image: Getty Images)

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake has rocked huge parts of southern Greece - close to where Brit tourists will be enjoying a spot of spring sun.

At this early point, there are no reports of injuries or damage though this may change as the day goes on. The tremors were felt in the capital of Athens and in Crete, an island off the country's southern tip around 214 miles away.

The quake's epicentre was 75 miles southwest of Patras, according to the Athens Geodynamic Institute. It originated around 10.5miles below the sea bed close to the Strofades island.

Concerns have been raised that the tremor could cause a tsunami. Authorities are currently evaluating the risks, it has been reported.

President of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization Efthymios Lekkas told Greece's state broadcaster: "The earthquake should be of great concern because it has been recorded in a marine area with a large focal depth."

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The country is based in a zone that is seismically active and quakes are common. However, many of them go unnoticed without causing any damage or injuries.

A 4.8-magnitude quake struck the coast of the Pelponnese as recently as January. Scientists had also predicted that the country could be struck by a devastating 8.5-magnitude rumble. Experts feared it could be as damaging as the tremors that tore through Turkey and Syria last year.

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Ryan Fahey