Residents of Rhodes expressed concern following a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the island early on Tuesday morning.
The earthquake’s tremors were also felt in Turkey, where reports from Turkish media indicate that a 14-year-old girl lost her life and 69 others sustained injuries.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that the girl was rushed to a hospital after experiencing a panic attack, but sadly, she passed away despite the medical team’s efforts.
Most of the injuries were a result of individuals jumping from heights in panic caused by the strong seismic activity, the minister clarified.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or material damage in Rhodes.
Seismologists offer reassurance
Seismologists have tried to calm concerns. Vasilis Karastathis, director of the Geodynamic Institute, informed ANT1 television that the earthquake’s considerable depth diminishes its significance. He noted that, although the tremor was strong, it occurred at an intermediate depth, similar to recent events in northern Crete and Kasos.
“While these earthquakes can cause public concern, they rarely result in damage or harm,” he added, pointing out that such events are typically not followed by aftershocks.
Conclusion
A similar sentiment was echoed by Efthymios Lekkas, Professor of Geology and President of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP). Speaking to ERTNews, he reiterated that the 5.8 magnitude earthquake’s main characteristic is its depth. At 60 kilometers deep, he assured that, despite being felt across a wide area in the Dodecanese and Turkey, it would likely result in minimal surface effects, no tsunami, and no significant aftershock activity.
He emphasized that this event is likely the primary quake due to its depth. “It was a strong seismic occurrence for the residents of Rhodes and nearby areas, but we do not anticipate any further notable events,” he concluded.
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