Series of strong earthquakes rock Greek Island
A series of earthquakes struck just off the coast of the island of Zakynthos, Greece, on Friday, rattling tourists but resulting in little damage.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), more than 35 aftershocks have occurred following a magnitude-6.8 on Thursday night.
While a tsunami warning was initially issued following the shallow 6.8 magnitude quake, it was later canceled after no tsunami occurred.
Some damage was observed at the Zakynthos port and an ancient monastery was impacted by a rockslide. Otherwise, no deaths, widespread damage or serious injuries have been reported.
A woman with a boy walk at the main harbour of Zakynthos island, western Greece, as the sidewalk next to moored boats is cracked and warped after an earthquake on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. The magnitude 6.5 undersea quake overnight caused many island residents to spend the night in their cars and triggered a tsunami warning that ended several hours later. No serious damage or injuries were reported. (Yannis Liakos/InTime News via AP)
Zakynthos enforces seismic protection codes in construction due to historically frequent earthquakes, said Efthymios Lekkas, head of Greece's Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization. This has helped the island's structures to avoid major damage.
Regardless, the events roused residents and tourists, prompting many to spend the night outdoors in the interest of safety.
“It was a powerful and shallow earthquake that was felt throughout western Greece, up to Athens, the Western Balkans, even in Italy and Libya,” said seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos of the Geodynamic Institute in Athens, according to the Washington Post.
Widespread power outages were reported as well, which slowed progress as officials began checking on the island's more remote villages.
“The lack of electricity is a problem, but technicians are trying to restore power," civil protection agency press spokesman Spyros Georgiou told The Associated Press.
Schools were closed on Friday throughout the affected region.
Stormy weather is expected to move into the region this weekend, perhaps slowing recovery efforts and further dampening tourists' vacation plans.
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