Crete earthquake – live: One person killed and hotels evacuated as powerful earthquake hits Greek island

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Greek Island of Crete hit by 6.5 magnitude earthquake

One person is dead and at least 20 have been injured in a strong earthquake that struck the Greek island of Crete on Monday morning. Greece’s climate crisis and civil protection ministry confirmed the death of a man who had been completing church renovations in the town of Arkalochori, and was crushed when the dome caved in.

The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported that a 6.0 magnitude quake struck at 9.17 am with an epicentre 16 miles south south east of the city of Heraklion and a depth of 6.2 miles. At least nine aftershocks have also struck the area, with the strongest one registering a magnitude of 4.6.

Hotels and schools near the epicentre have been evacuated as local media reported that a number of older buildings had suffered structural damage.

Sarah Williams-Long, a doctor at King’s Hospital in London who had been staying at the Creta Maris beach resort with her partner and three-year-old son when the earthquake struck, told The Independent that she had been evacuated in case of a second earthquake.

She said: “It was terrifying. Initially there was just a very slight rumble, like waiting for a train underground, but it quickly increased causing the building to shake,” adding that many people took shelter under tables before the building was evacuated.

Key Points

• Earthquake strikes Crete
• Man killed in church collapse

[27 September 2021 18:48 · Conrad Duncan]

At least 500 buildings have been damaged by this morning’s earthquake on Crete, according to AP’s Derek Gatopoulos.

[27 September 2021 18:31 · Conrad Duncan]

You can find more images below of some of the damage from the earthquake in Crete this morning:

(REUTERS)

(AP)

(AFP via Getty Images)

[27 September 2021 18:09 · Conrad Duncan]

ICYMI: How will today’s earthquake affect holidays to Crete?

The earthquake on Crete today has raised questions about whether holidays to the island will be affected over the coming days as inspections of critical buildings take place.

However, no airlines or tour operators have announced so far that they will be cancelling flights or holidays to the island due to the quake.

Our reporter, Lucy Thackray, has the full story below:

[27 September 2021 17:44 · Conrad Duncan]

European Parliament president David Sassoli has said that Europe stands “in solidarity” with the people of Crete today after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck the island this morning:

[27 September 2021 17:20 · Conrad Duncan]

Senior MEP pledges support for Greece after earthquake

A senior MEP has pledged support for Greece following this morning’s earthquake that has caused damage on the island of Crete.

Manfred Weber, leader of the European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, sent his condolences to the country on Monday afternoon.

“Sending our solidarity to the people of Crete who are dealing with the consequences of a powerful earthquake today,” Mr Weber said.

“Our condolences to the family of the victim and we wish the injured a quick recovery. The EPP [European People's Party] Group stands ready to support Greece in any way we can.”

[27 September 2021 16:58 · Conrad Duncan]

AP Europe has more footage below of the damage in Crete today:

[27 September 2021 16:43 · Conrad Duncan]

You can find images of the damage at Metamorfosi Sotiros church in the Voni village on Crete following this morning’s earthquake below:

(AP)

(AP)

[27 September 2021 16:22 · Conrad Duncan]

At least 28 earthquakes have been felt in Crete in the last nine hours, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

[27 September 2021 16:01 · Conrad Duncan]

ICYMI: ‘Terrifying’ 6.0-magnitude tremor in Crete kills one, several injured

A “terrifying” 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Greek island of Crete this morning, killing one person and injuring several others, with at least nine aftershocks also striking the area.

Local authorities reported that a man was crushed when a church dome in the town of Arkalochori collapsed - the building was being renovated when the quake struck.

Our reporter, Celine Wadhera, has the full story below:

[27 September 2021 15:45 · Conrad Duncan]

No reports of people missing or trapped so far, government official says

There have been no reports so far of people missing or trapped under rubble in Crete, government spokesperson Giannis Oikonomou has said.

Mr Oikonomou’s comments came as climate crisis and civil protection minister Christos Stylianides, who has travelled to Crete, said that a state of emergency had been declared in the area.

Local media says hundreds of homes have been damaged, including more than half the houses in Arkalochori.