Material damages have been recorded on Rhodes after an earthquake struck with a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale in the sea area between island and Turkey.
The tremor occurred at 02:17 early on Tuesday, June 3, in the sea area 21 kilometers north of Rhodes, at a focal depth of approximately 52 kilometers, according to data published by the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens.
The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) estimated that the earthquake in the Dodecanese, in the sea area between Rhodes and Turkey had a magnitude of 6.2 R.
Regional governor of the South Aegean, Giorgos Hadjimarkos, stressed that the tremor was strong and many tourists on the island were terrified and temporarily abandoned their accommodations.
He noted that “the state mechanism has been on alert from first moment, “the situation is good” and there have been no damages or injuries in the other Dodecanese islands.
“At the same time, we are taking care to inform and reassure tourists on our islands who have no experience of earthquakes, so that there is no concern,” the governor added.
The exterior plaster and brick walls of the building in the South Aegean Regional Government building collapsed due to the earthquake. It appears that part of the first floor, on the balcony of the building complex, fell, as there was a problem due to age and humidity, local rodiaki.gr reported.
The mayor of Rhodes, Alexandros Koliadis, stated that he is in constant with the National Earthquake Planning and Protection organization and that the seismic sequence is progressing smoothly.
“We are monitoring the development of the phenomenon. We remain vigilant, but there is no reason for concern at this time,” the mayor stressed.
State broadcaster ERT reported that check on buildings are continuous and that tourists have returned to the beaches.
People in Turkey were less fortunate as a 14=year-old girl died and 69 people were injured with the majority of them to have jumped from balconies and windows in panic.
Panic attack was the reason the teenager died, authorities claimed adding that the girl suffered a severe panic attack, she was taken to hospital, however, she died despite doctors’ efforts to keep her alive.