A magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred in central Greece.

On Wednesday, central Greece was shaken by a powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. This event caused residents of the city of Larissa to rush into the streets in panic. The Geodynamic Institute in Athens reported that the tremors were recorded at a magnitude of 6.0 and were felt over a significant distance, covering central and northern parts of Greece. According to the Athens Observatory, the epicenter was located 21 kilometers south of the town of Elassona, near Larissa. One person was injured by falling objects, but no serious injuries were reported. Damage to several buildings and vehicles was also recorded. The earthquake was felt even in the capitals of neighboring countries, such as Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro. Officials reported structural damage, mainly affecting older buildings, with walls collapsing or cracking.

Unexpected rescues

An elderly man with a disability was rescued from his collapsed home in the nearby village of Mesohori.

Recommendations from local authorities

Kostas Agourastos, the local governor of the central region of Thessaly, informed state television about recommendations for local schools to close their doors. "I've never experienced anything like this; I left home immediately," shared a resident of Larissa in an interview with ERT. Thousands of people were preparing to spend the night outdoors at the end of Wednesday, fearing that aftershocks could damage already affected buildings.

Seismic activity in the region

Earthquakes often occur in this region. According to data from the German Research Centre for Geosciences, the magnitude of this event was 6.0, with a depth of 10 kilometers. Greece is located in a zone of high seismic activity. In October of last year, an earthquake that struck the eastern Greek island of Samos and the nearby Turkish coast claimed the lives of two people on Samos and at least 75 in Turkey. Journalists from AFP and dpa note that such natural disasters remain a concern and cause anxiety among the local population.