Powerful 5.2 Earthquake Rattles Athens Region: Officials Monitor Aftershock Activity

Significant Seismic Activity Near Athens

A strong earthquake struck the region of Attica, with its epicenter located in Nea Styra, Evia, registering a magnitude of 5.2 on the Richter scale in the sea area between Schinias and Styra, Evia.

The earthquake occurred at 12:27 am local time on September 9, and due to its shallow depth, the shaking was intense across Attica and surrounding areas, with many residents being jolted awake as buildings swayed through the night.

Impact and Response

According to Deputy Regional Governor of Evia, Giorgos Kelaiditis, who communicated with local authorities in Nea Styra, there have been no reports of damage thus far. In Marathon, located across the South Euboean Gulf, local mayor Stergios Tsirkas confirmed that despite the intense shaking, no injuries or significant damage were reported. Emergency services were mobilised to assess buildings and infrastructure, though no calls for assistance had been received.

Expert Analysis and Aftershocks

According to seismology expert Efthymis Lekkas, while this is an area that typically doesn’t produce large earthquakes, authorities are currently evaluating all data for more reliable assessments. Importantly, aftershocks above 4 on the Richter scale are expected.

Seismic Context

Greece is one of Europe’s most seismically active countries, situated on the complex boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. While most earthquakes are moderate in strength and cause little damage, tremors are frequent, with the country experiencing thousands of small quakes each year.

In the past 24 hours alone, Athens has experienced 10 quakes of magnitude 2.0 or above, along with 37 smaller quakes below magnitude 2.0 which typically go unnoticed by people. Authorities continue to advise residents and tourists in affected areas to follow official updates, particularly in coastal zones.