A powerful 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck at 2:17 AM on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the Greek island of Rhodes and Turkey’s western coast, particularly affecting the town of Marmaris.
The tremor, characterized by its long duration and intensity, resulted in widespread alarm, prompting many residents to evacuate their homes.
On Rhodes, fearful residents were jolted from their beds. Testimonies from locals describe the earthquake as unprecedented in its intensity and duration, though residents reportedly faced the event with composure and without panic.
The Rhodes Fire Department conducted overnight checks across the city. While no serious injuries were reported on the island, there were instances of minor damage to infrastructure.
The strong seismic tremor was also significantly felt across the border in Turkey, especially in the Mugla region and the town of Marmaris.
Residents there similarly took to the streets in fear. Idris Akbiyik, Marmaris’ governor, confirmed that seven people were treated for injuries after jumping out of windows or balconies in a state of panic, though there were no immediate reports of more serious damage.
Expert reassurance on Rhodes earthquake
Professor Efthymios Lekkas, the president of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), offered a calm assessment of the situation. In speaking to ERT, he highlighted the earthquake’s significant focal depth of just over 40 miles (64.9 kilometers), located 13 miles (21 kilometers) north of Rhodes, according to the revised solution of the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens.
“It is an earthquake whose main characteristic is its depth,” Lekkas stated. “This depth allows us to say that although it was felt in a wider area of the Dodecanese and Turkey, it will not have significant effects on the surface; there will be no tsunami and, above all, there will be no rich aftershock sequence.” He further emphasized that, in all likelihood, this was the main earthquake.
Giorgos Hadjimarkos, the Regional Governor of the South Aegean, confirmed that assessment teams and the entire state apparatus were on the ground evaluating the damage. He reported that only very minor material damage had been reported up to the early hours of the morning.
Hadjimarkos also addressed concerns regarding tourists, many of whom come from countries not accustomed to earthquakes.
“Mr. Lekkas’ statement reassures us that we will not have a stronger aftershock,” he said. “We are on alert, and the only thing we have to deal with immediately is the fear of our visitors…We are trying to explain to them that it is a normal phenomenon and that they are not in any danger and that construction in Greece is among the best in Europe.”
Related: Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Strikes North of Crete
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