Athens, 21 July 2024 (dpa/MIA) — An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 has shaken the western part of the tourist island of Crete, the Insitute of Geodynamics in Athens reported on Sunday.

Initial measurements showed that the earthquake, which occurred at 7:02 am (0402 GMT), was centred about 18 kilometres below the seabed. It hit around 60 kilometres south of the south coast of the island near the small port town of Palaiochora.

This larger earthquake was preceded by numerous smaller ones in the region. The Greek Civil Defence agency did not initially say whether there were any victims or damage to buildings and a tsunami warning was not issued.

‘We are observing the phenomenon and cannot yet say whether this was the main quake,’ seismologist Gerasimos Chouliaras told Greek public radio ERT.

There were initially no reports of injuries, according to local media. However, many people were woken from their sleep. The quake was felt in large parts of Crete, the broadcaster reported.

The African and European plates meet under the seabed south of Crete. This repeatedly causes strong quakes.