Greek authorities launched on-site inspections today after cracks appeared on roads and on at least 15 houses in the last 24 hours in Voutes, Heraklion municipality on the island of Crete, causing alarm among residents, the Greek newspaper “Kathimerini“ reports.
Initial estimates indicate cracks about 150 meters long, said Professor Efthymios Lekas, chairman of the Permanent Special Scientific Committee for Earthquake Risk Assessment, at a meeting of the Regional Operational Coordination Body for Civil Protection of the Heraklion Prefecture, ANA-MPA reported. Lekas, who has been on the island of Crete since Sunday evening, said at the end of the meeting that the two cracks were visible and had caused damage to homes, a church, a playground and networks in the area.
Scientific teams are continuing to take measurements and collect data to determine the cause of the phenomenon, he added.
Residents of the damaged houses have been advised to seek alternative accommodation for the night.
Local authorities have declared a state of emergency in the area for a period of one month.