Crete Quake Prompts Expanded Tsunami Warnings

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude between 6.1 and 6.3 struck off the coast of Crete, Greece, early Thursday morning, prompting a tsunami warning for parts of Greece as well as Turkey, Italy, France, and Portugal. The quake occurred at a depth of 69 to 77 kilometers and was felt in neighboring countries including Israel, Egypt, and Cyprus, but there have been no immediate reports of injuries or major damage. Greek emergency services placed their forces on high alert and advised residents and tourists to move away from coastal areas as a precaution. This event follows a 6.1 magnitude quake near Kasos last week, highlighting the region’s vulnerability due to active fault lines. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre and other agencies continue to monitor the situation for tsunami threats. Authorities warn that aftershocks and further seismic activity remain possible.