GREECE: STRONG M6.1 QUAKE HITS BETWEEN CRETE AND KASOS, NO DAMAGE BUT TSUNAMI ALERT ISSUED

ATHENS, GREECE • A powerful earthquake, initially reported as M6.1, struck the sea south of Kasos and east of Crete overnight. While no damage or injuries have been reported, a tsunami alert was issued as a precautionary measure. Experts note the quake's depth and its origin along the Hellenic Arc.

Athens, Greece, May 14, 2025 – 7:55 AM CEST – A strong magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook the sea south of Kasos and east of Crete in Greece during the night between Monday and Tuesday, at 01:51 AM local time.

According to the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens, the epicenter was located approximately 19 kilometers south-southwest of Kasos, at a depth of 64.4 kilometers. A slightly different assessment came from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), which recorded a magnitude of 6.3 with a depth of about 83 kilometers.

The tremor was distinctly felt in the Dodecanese area and the eastern part of Crete, but no damage or injuries have been reported at present, as confirmed by the Greek Fire Service. As a precaution, authorities ordered patrols in the area, and a tsunami alert was issued, although no anomalous waves followed.

The president of the Agency for Seismic Protection, Efthimios Lekkas, explained to ERTNews that the earthquake originated along the Hellenic Arc, the convergence point between the African and European tectonic plates. "The depth of about 60 kilometers is a peculiar characteristic of these earthquakes, which tend to occur in isolation and do not have strong pre or post-event tremors," Lekkas stated, ruling out connections with recent quakes in Turkey or the Santorini area.

Recent Seismic Activity in the Region

This seismic event occurs within a context of increasing activity in the region. Between January and February 2025, the area between Santorini and Amorgos recorded over 17,500 moderate earthquakes. While these seismic events did not cause serious damage, they did raise concerns among residents, with approximately 6,000 people leaving the island due to fear of further tremors. The origin of these quakes is not linked to the volcano, but to active tectonic faults in the Aegean Sea. Authorities continue to monitor the seismic situation in the region closely.