Tsunami warning as powerful 5.9 earthquake strikes off coast of popular Greek island

High view of traditional village of Paleochora, Crete, Greece. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Greece's coastal areas brace for potential tsunami after a strong 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the island of Crete earlier today.

The Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has issued a stark warning for the Kasos region, advising locals and visitors to keep off the beaches and find safety uphill urgently.

"A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area," announced the Ministry via its official communication channels. "Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities."

Felt across the Aegean, with a centre point just offshore of Crete, the quake prompted fears of subsequent shudders as emergency teams prepared for aftershocks.

While no casualties or severe wreckage have been reported at this stage, Greek authorities are keeping a vigilant watch over developments, calling for public caution, reports the Mirror.

History repeats as the seismic hotspot of Crete faces another natural threat – not long since the October 2021 quake stirred upheaval barely a month after resultant fatalities and damage scarred the Heraklion vicinity.

Visible cracks were left on schools and public buildings, leading to residents sleeping outdoors due to the fear of additional tremors.

In October 2021, one of the most potent earthquakes in recent history occurred near the island of Karpathos, registering 6.4 on the Richter scale. Although there were no reported fatalities, the quake sent shockwaves through neighbouring islands such as Kasos and Rhodes.

Looking further back, in July 2006, a significant 6.7 magnitude earthquake rattled the seabed south of Crete, causing tremors throughout mainland Greece and waking Athens' residents in the early hours.