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dpa
Athens
At least one person is dead after a magnitude-5.8 earthquake struck the port city of Iraklion on the Greek island of Crete, according to media reports.
Eleven people have been injured and several had to be freed after being trapped in collapsed houses, according to reports.
A 62-year-old man was killed while repairing damage from a previous earthquake at a church in the village of Viannos, which lies close to the quake’s epicentre, some 20 kilometres south-east of the city, the To Proto Thema newspaper reported.
His son was brought into hospital with injuries, according to the report.
Viannos, along with the nearby villages of Arkalochori and Patsideros, was particularly affected by the quake, with hundreds of stone houses collapsing there.
The Athens Geodynamic Institute said the quake struck at 9:17 am (0617 GMT) at a magnitude of 5.8.
Many people fled buildings into the streets, as seen on images broadcast on television.
Akis Tselentis, seismologist and head of the institute, told reporters on Monday that the morning quake had, in all likelihood, been the main one, but many people are still expected to spend the night outdoors or in their cars.
Seismologists had observed increased seismic activity in the area during the past four months.
The quake was felt on the entire island as well as others like Santorini, a popular holiday destination just north of Crete.
On Crete, several older houses collapsed, and cracks appeared on newer buildings as well.
Meanwhile, across the Aegean Sea in Turkey, the quake was felt along the coastline in the district of Datca, with people also fleeing to the streets.
Athens
At least one person is dead after a magnitude-5.8 earthquake struck the port city of Iraklion on the Greek island of Crete, according to media reports.
Eleven people have been injured and several had to be freed after being trapped in collapsed houses, according to reports.
A 62-year-old man was killed while repairing damage from a previous earthquake at a church in the village of Viannos, which lies close to the quake’s epicentre, some 20 kilometres south-east of the city, the To Proto Thema newspaper reported.
His son was brought into hospital with injuries, according to the report.
Viannos, along with the nearby villages of Arkalochori and Patsideros, was particularly affected by the quake, with hundreds of stone houses collapsing there.
The Athens Geodynamic Institute said the quake struck at 9:17 am (0617 GMT) at a magnitude of 5.8.
Many people fled buildings into the streets, as seen on images broadcast on television.
Akis Tselentis, seismologist and head of the institute, told reporters on Monday that the morning quake had, in all likelihood, been the main one, but many people are still expected to spend the night outdoors or in their cars.
Seismologists had observed increased seismic activity in the area during the past four months.
The quake was felt on the entire island as well as others like Santorini, a popular holiday destination just north of Crete.
On Crete, several older houses collapsed, and cracks appeared on newer buildings as well.
Meanwhile, across the Aegean Sea in Turkey, the quake was felt along the coastline in the district of Datca, with people also fleeing to the streets.
