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Kos earthquake: 8,000 British tourists on island as strong quake rocks resorts in Greece and Turkey

As aftershocks continue, tourists reported to be gathered outside their hotels

Travel Correspondent

Friday 21 July 2017 11:55 BST

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Two dead, 120 injured, as large quake hits Kos

Around 8,000 British holidaymakers are believed to have been on the island of Kos when the earthquake struck, including about 200 who had just arrived on a Thomas Cook flight from Birmingham.

No other flights to and from Britain are expected today, but Saturday is normally a busy day for flights.

The airport, which is towards the far end of the island from where the earthquake struck, is believed to be open, but flights are disrupted as airlines assess the situation. Eurocontrol is reporting "very high flight delay at Kos".

This summer 30 flights are scheduled each week between then UK and Kos. Eleven are from Gatwick, nine from Manchester, three from Stansted and others from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Glasgow, Heathrow, Leeds/Bradford and Newcastle. Between them they fly around 6,000 British tourists in and out each week.

Shortly after the earthquake, the Foreign Office warned: “An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.7 occurred off the coast of Kos on 21 July 2017. You should be aware of the possibility of aftershocks, and follow the advice of the local authorities and/or your tour operator.”

In the Dodecanese island group, Kos is second only to Rhodes for popularity with holidaymakers — especially British, Germans and Dutch tourists.

The island is just three miles from Turkey at the closest point, and near the Turkish resort of Bodrum.

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

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1/11Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

A man looks at damaged boats at a beach following a sea surge caused by an earthquake on July 21, 2017 in Bodrum, southwestern Turkey. Two foreigners died and more than 100 people were injured on the Greek island of Kos when an earthquake shook popular Greek and Turkish holiday destinations in the Aegean Sea. The epicentre of the 6.7 magnitude quake was some 10.3 kilometres (6.4 miles) south of the major Turkish resort of Bodrum, a magnet for holidaymakers in the summer, and 16.2 kilometres east of the island of Kos in Greece, the US Geological Survey said.

AFP/Getty Images

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

A man sweeps away rubble following on the Island of Kos following a 6.5 magnitude earthquake which struck the region early on July 21, 2017. Two foreigners died and more than 100 people were injured on the Greek island of Kos when an earthquake shook popular Greek and Turkish holiday destinations in the Aegean Sea. The epicentre of the 6.7 magnitude quake was some 10.3 kilometres (6.4 miles) south of the major Turkish resort of Bodrum, a magnet for holidaymakers in the summer, and 16.2 kilometres east of the island of Kos in Greece, the US Geological Survey said.

AFP/Getty Images

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

A man looks at rubble fallen from a quake damaged building on the Greek Island of Kos on July 21, 2017 following a 6.5 magnitude earthquake which struck the region. Two foreigners died and more than 100 people were injured on the Greek island of Kos when an earthquake shook popular Greek and Turkish holiday destinations in the Aegean Sea. The epicentre of the 6.7 magnitude quake was some 10.3 kilometres (6.4 miles) south of the major Turkish resort of Bodrum, a magnet for holidaymakers in the summer, and 16.2 kilometres east of the island of Kos in Greece, the US Geological Survey said.

AFP/Getty Images

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

Damaged boats are seen on a beach following a sea surge caused by an earthquake, in the Agean coastal city of Mugla, Bodrum Province, Turkey Earthquakequake hits the Aegean - 21 Jul 2017 A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey's Aegean coast, and at least 90 people were injured as a sea surge caused damages in buildings and streets. Two people were killed and dozens were injured on the Greek Island of Kos and beachfront hotels have been flooded on both Turkish and Greek coasts after the earthquake hit in the Aegean Sea early 21 July.

Rex Features

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

Damage is seen at a port following an earthquake on the island of Kos, Greece, 21 July 2017. Two earthquake-related fatalities were reported on the island of Kos in the early morning hours of 21 July, while several others were injured from a strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake that shook the island and much of the southeast Aegean region and southwestern Turkey. A 39-year-old Turk and a 27-year-old Swede are reportedly dead, according to sources. Five persons who have been seriously injured were transferred to the Heraklion University Hospital in Crete. Some buildings have suffered serious damage. The island's port has sustained damage while the airport is operating normally.

EPA

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

Boats that crashed on top of each other in the harbor in Bodrum, Turkey, early Friday, July 21, 2017. A powerful earthquake struck Turkey's Aegean coast and nearby Greek islands, sending frightened residents running out of buildings they feared would collapse and into the streets.

AP

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

Fallen bottles are seen in a liquor store following an earthquake on the island of Kos, Greece, 21 July 2017. Two earthquake-related fatalities were reported on the island of Kos in the early morning hours of 21 July, while several others were injured from a strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake that shook the island and much of the southeast Aegean region and southwestern Turkey.

EPA

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

People watch a damaged car following a sea surge caused by an earthquake, in the Agean coastal city of Mugla, Bodrum Province, Turkey, 21 July 2017. A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey's Aegean coast, and at least 90 people were injured as a sea surge caused damages in buildings and streets. Two people were killed and dozens were injured on the Greek Island of Kos and beachfront hotels have been flooded on both Turkish and Greek coasts after the earthquake hit in the Aegean Sea early 21 July.

EPA

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

Damaged boats are seen on a beach following a sea surge caused by an earthquake, in the Agean coastal city of Mugla, Bodrum Province, Turkey, 21 July 2017. A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey's Aegean coast, and at least 90 people were injured as a sea surge caused damages in buildings and streets. Two people were killed and dozens were injured on the Greek Island of Kos and beachfront hotels have been flooded on both Turkish and Greek coasts after the earthquake hit in the Aegean Sea early 21 July.

EPA

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

Damaged buildings are seen after an earthquake on the Greek island of Kos early Friday, July 21, 2017. A powerful earthquake struck Greek islands and Turkey's Aegean coast early Friday morning, damaging buildings and a port and killing people, authorities said.

AP

Earthquake rocks Turkey-Greek coasts

Hotel guests sleep outdoors after abandoning their rooms following an earthquake in Bitez, a resort town about 6 kilometers (4 miles) west of Bodrum, Turkey, early Friday, July 21, 2017. A powerful earthquake struck Turkey's Aegean coast and nearby Greek islands, sending frightened residents running out of buildings they feared would collapse and into the streets.

AP

The Mark Warner organisation has one of its leading properties on Kos, the Lakitira Beach Resort.

Cultural highlights on the island include Asklepion, the temple to Hippocrates — the father of medicine.

An Irish holidaymaker, Helen Thomas, tweeted: “Staying at Oceanis in #kos - the aftermath of the #earthquake is still unclear as aftershocks continue. Been outside since 1.30am.” She added a photograph of guests gathered in the open.

Leith Williams tweeted: “Aftershocks still going on here in Kos. Wondering if there is a big wave coming. How long does it take?”

Last month an earthquake struck the Greek island of Lesbos, which is also near the Turkish coast. One woman was killed and at least 10 were injured.

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