6.2 quake strikes south of Crete—USGS

Screengrab from https://earthquake.usgs.gov/

ATHENS—A moderate 6.2-magnitude earthquake rumbled off the southern coast of the Greek island of Crete Saturday, according to the US Geological Survey, but there was no immediate warning of a tsunami.

The earthquake struck at 6:11 p.m. (1611 GMT) around 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the town of Pirgos at a depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS said, adding that there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

According to the Athens Observatory, it was a “very strong” quake which it put at a magnitude of 5.9 and said its epicenter was located 483 kilometers southeast of Athens in the Mediterranean.

The quake was especially felt in the city of Ierapetra on Crete, it added.

About 10 days ago, a quake was also registered off of Crete, which did not cause any casualties or damage.

Greece is the European country that is most frequently hit by earthquakes.