Authorities assess damage on Evia after 4.5 magnitude earthquake

A team from the Directorate for Natural Disaster Recovery (DAEFK) has arrived on Evia island to inspect buildings following the 4.5-magnitude earthquake that struck at 3:23 a.m. local time and was felt as far as Athens.

The mayor of Mantoudi, Limni, and Agia Anna, Giorgos Tsapourniotis, told public broadcaster ERT that initial inspections have found more than 50 houses, as well as several municipal buildings and schools, to have sustained damage.

“Everything will, of course, be inspected. The team arrived very early, and I thank the minister, Mr. Katsafados, very much for the immediate response,” he said.

According to the fire service, its forces remain on high alert and are conducting patrols. However, up to this point, they have not received any emergency calls or had to intervene.

The president of the Hellenic Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), Efthymis Lekkas, has also traveled to the island of Evia.

“There is currently mild seismic activity occurring in the Central-Northern Evia region. This activity has been repeated many times in the past. It involves small earthquakes that do not exceed magnitude 5,” Lekkas stated to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

Source: ekathimerini.com