Residents of Voutes village by Heraklio, Crete, have been horrified to see long rifts tearing roads and buildings apart in the last 24 hours. No earthquake preceded the appearance of the cracks that extend to a length of some 150 meters.
The phenomenon is ongoing on Sunday evening, April 27, 2025, and has set in alert both local and central authorities.
The cracks have appeared in roads and at least 10 houses in inside and outside walls as well as in the church of the village over an area extending to about 150 meters long, Apha TV reported early Sunday evening.
According to mayor of Heraklio, Alexis Kalokairinos who inspected the area on Sunday morning, the cracks are most likely due to soil subsidence.
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The phenomenon has set on alert not only the local residents and authorities but also the institutions in Athens.
Head of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), Professor Efthymios Lekkas, is expected to arrive to Voutes later on Sunday to examine on the spot the large rifts starting early Monday morning.
Mayor Kalokairinos has described the phenomenon as “ongoing” and indicated that he intends to ask for a state of emergency to be declared in the village.
He also called for the assistance of the Infrastructure, the Environment and the Civil Protection ministries to assess the situation and ensure that there was no danger for the village and those living there.
On his part, Lekkas is expected to determine the cause of the extensive subsidence but also to check whether this is likely spread to neighboring areas and to take immediate measures in response.
The village Voutes is located at elevation of 240 meters and is 12 km away from Heraklio. It has some 700 permanent residents.
According to local media a strong earthquake in the late 19th century had completely damaged the village.
sources: creta24.gr, cretalive.gr, cretapost.gr and others