Strong Temblor Strikes Zakynthos Causing Minor Damage

Zakynthos (archive photo) © Panos Karas / Shutterstock

Dozens of after-shocks are continuing on Zakynthos after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit the popular Ionian island on Friday, causing minor damage but no reported injuries.

Schools remained closed as authorities from the General Secretariat for Civil Protection continued to assess damage in the capital and the harbor following the temblor which struck at 1.54am local time causing power outages.

Authorities said the port and airport remained functional.

According to the Greek Institute of Geodynamics (GEIN-NOA), the earthquake’s epicenter was in a sea region 44km southwest of Zakynthos, and 280km southwest of Athens. It was also felt in Albania, Italy, Libya and Malta. Islanders remained outdoors as dozens of after-shocks continued into the night.

Gerasimos Papadopoulos, GEIN research director, said that a strong after-shock was to be expected in the coming hours or days.

Zakynthos airport (archive photo). Source: panoramio.com

According to the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, no injuries have been reported, but there has been damage to homes, shops, the main port and to Agios Sostis port, as well as to the 13th-century Byzantine monastery of St Dionysios, on the islet of Strofades, 27 nautical miles south of Zakynthos.

“We are not facing any particular problems,” Zakynthos Mayor Pavlos Kolokotsas told state broadcaster ERT. “Calm is being restored.”

Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is one of Greece’s most popular islands and a favorite destination for international travelers, welcoming in 2017 more than 200,000 visitors.

It should be noted that Zakynthos together with Kefalonia suffered a massive 6.8 magnitude earthquake in 1953 completely damaging the capital and leaving only two buildings standing. The capital today suffered minor damage due to anti-seismic buildings that were erected after 1953.