Kefalonia Earthquake Wrecks Buildings, Injures People On Greek Island


An Earthquake hit the Greek island of Kefalonia on Sunday, wrecking buildings and roads and causing some minor injuries to local residents. Authorities reported that the Kefalonia earthquake reached a magnitude of 5.8 and rocked the small island.

The Geodynamic Institute, based in Athens, the capital of Greece, said the earthquake’s epicenter was 175 miles west of the capital near to Lixouri and was at a depth of around 11 miles.

Local media reported that some people suffered from injuries, mainly caused by falling objects in buildings. The local airport’s control tower was also damaged in the quake and numerous rock falls were reported.

Manolis Skordilis, a professor at the University of Thessaloniki spoke to AP about the Kefalonia earthquake:

“It is too early to say if this is the main earthquake, although it likely is,” he said, continuing, “This area shows the highest incidence of seismic phenomena, not only in Greece, but on an east-west axis stretching from Gibraltar to China. In 1983, there was a 7 magnitude quake in the same area… We have already had many aftershocks and expect many more.”

In the three hours following the earthquake, at least 12 aftershocks of various sizes were recorded, all with a magnitude of at least 3.0. Costas Papazahos, a seismology professor, also from the University of Thessaloniki, said that in his opinion the 5.8 reading, which was preliminary, will prove to be even higher, possibly at a 6 or 6.2-magnitude.

It remains to be seen whether or not Professor Papazahos is correct in his assertion that today’s Kefalonia earthquake exceeded 6 on the Richter scale, as the Greek authorities work tirelessly to help injured residents and restore power.

Share this article: Kefalonia Earthquake Wrecks Buildings, Injures People On Greek Island
More from Inquisitr