Lesvos’ Tourism Infrastructure Not Affected by Earthquake

Mytilini town, Lesvos. Photo © Koutrolm / Wikimedia Commons

The tourism infrastructure of Lesvos is intact following the earthquake on Monday, assured the president of the island’s travel agents, Panayiotis Hadjikyriakos.

The eastern Aegean island of Lesvos was rocked on Monday afternoon by a strong earthquake, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale.

In statements to the press, Hadjikyriakos said that the island’s infrastructure survived the earthquake and that the problem is located in two villages. He added that visitors to the island are continuing their holidays and are not facing any problems, while there are also no damages reported at hotels on Lesvos. “The professionals of the sector are carefully monitoring all developments,” Hadjikyriakos said.

Photo source: lesvosnews.net

One woman was killed and some 15 people were injured in Monday’s strong earthquake on Lesvos. Worst-hit by the earthquake was the southern village of Vrisa as some 80 percent of the homes and buildings have suffered severe damage. Some 800 residents of the village are said to have been displaced and are being housed with relatives or hotels in the nearby village of Vatera.

Houses and churches in Plomari and the villages of the Plomari province have also suffered great damage.

Greek authorities have declared a state of emergency on the island. Deputy Shipping Minister Nektarios Santorinios said financial aid would be offered to families affected by the quake.

The earthquake was also felt in western Turkey and as far away as Athens. Small damages were reported on the nearby island of Chios.

Lesvos monuments damaged by earthquake

Photo source: INTIME NEWS/INTIMEnews

On Tuesday, the Greek Culture Ministry said that ecclesiastical monuments of the 18th and 19th centuries that include typical features of the island’s architecture, have been significantly damaged.

After the earthquake, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Lesvos reported that a number of post-Byzantine monuments were found to have serious static problems.

Moreover, churches affected by the earthquake include the Zoodochos Pigis Church in Vrisa, the Aghia Paraskevi Church in ​​Akrasi, the Church of the Transfiguration of Christ in Megalochori, the Agios Nikolaos Church in Plomari, the Assumption of the Theotokos Cathedral in Afalonas.

The wall of the Medieval Castle of Molyvos has also been affected in certain sections.