A powerful 5.8-magnitude earthquake has struck the island of Rhodes, waking residents in the middle of the night and prompting many to flee their homes.
No injuries were reported, though minor damage occurred.
The quake hit at 2:17 a.m. local time and was strongly felt across the island and as far as southwestern Turkey.
Residents described the tremor as unusually long and intense, with many reporting fallen household items and shattered decorative plates, a local tradition.
Emergency crews from the Rhodes Fire Department conducted precautionary inspections overnight. While the shaking caused some concern, local officials emphasized that the situation remains under control.
"The tremor was frightening, but people remained calm," said Giorgos Hatzimarkos, Regional Governor of the South Aegean. "Damage is minimal, and no serious incidents have been reported."
Mr. Hatzimarkos added that authorities are working to reassure tourists, many of whom are unfamiliar with seismic activity.
“Some visitors understandably left their hotel rooms in fear. We’re explaining this is a common natural event in Greece and that there is no risk, especially given the high construction standards,” he said.
The quake's epicenter was located in the sea between Rhodes and the Turkish coast, at a depth of approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles), according to seismologist Efthymios Lekkas, head of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP).
“This depth suggests the earthquake was widely felt but unlikely to cause serious surface damage or generate a tsunami,” Mr. Lekkas said in a statement to public broadcaster ERT.
“It is very likely this was the main quake, and we don’t expect a significant aftershock sequence.”
The tremor was also felt in Turkey, particularly in the coastal areas of Mugla and Marmaris, where residents briefly evacuated buildings but returned shortly after.
Greek authorities remain on alert but have not issued emergency warnings.
Seismic activity is common in the region, and the country has strict building codes to minimize quake-related risks.