A pair of earthquakes struck the sea south of the Greek holiday island of Crete on Saturday, the stronger measured at up to magnitude 5.8 by one monitoring centre, though local authorities reported no immediate casualties or significant damage. The first tremor, a 4.6-magnitude foreshock, hit around 12:30 p.m. local time, followed minutes later by the main event.

According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the main tremor registered 5.8, with its epicentre 69 km south-southwest of the city of Rethymno at a depth of 13 km. However, the Athens Geodynamic Institute recorded the same event at magnitude 5.3, at a depth of 15 km and roughly 6 km south of the islet of Gavdos. Both agencies situated the foreshock in the same offshore area.

The tremors were felt across the whole of Crete, including in the cities of Rethymno and Chania, where local media reported rattling windows and shifting furniture. Police conducted patrols but found no damage, according to local media. As a precautionary measure, authorities evacuated hikers from the Samaria Gorge, a popular summer attraction, Greek state television reported.

Greece, which lies on multiple fault lines in the southeastern Mediterranean, frequently experiences seismic activity. In April, a 5.8-magnitude quake off Crete and a 5.3-magnitude tremor in the northwest in March passed without injuries. Crete, which draws more than six million visitors annually, saw no disruption to tourist infrastructure from Saturday’s events. No injuries or material losses have been confirmed, and monitoring is ongoing.