Euboea, Greece — The Greek island of Euboea has been hit by a series of earthquakes over the past 24 hours, the strongest of which registered 4.6 on the Richter scale, reigniting fears of heightened seismic instability in the region.
The tremor, felt as far away as Athens, underscores the growing concern among residents and seismologists alike over the island’s vulnerability to stronger quakes.
According to the Athens-based Institute of Geodynamics, at least two other significant earthquakes—measuring 4.5 and 3.7—were also recorded in quick succession.
These tremors have shaken communities across Euboea, where authorities have now taken precautionary measures, including the temporary closure of all schools.
Officials are urging both residents and tourists to exercise extreme caution and adhere strictly to safety guidelines issued by local and national emergency services.
In the town of Limni, one of the hardest-hit areas, residents reported cracked walls, falling plaster, and objects tumbling from shelves during the strongest quake.
No injuries have been officially confirmed, but more than 50 structures have sustained varying degrees of damage, according to the island’s mayor.
“We are grateful that there have been no casualties, but we cannot ignore the extent of the damage to homes and public buildings,” the mayor stated in a televised briefing.
Seismologists from the National Observatory of Athens have arrived on the island to assess the seismic activity more closely and analyze the potential for a stronger quake.
Experts are particularly concerned about the fault line near Euboea’s northern coast, which has shown signs of increased stress following the powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck the Aegean Sea on May 14.
That earlier event caused widespread alarm across the region, and some scientists believe it may have triggered a chain reaction of aftershocks now reverberating across Euboea.
Professor Stavros Kalaris, a senior seismologist with the University of Athens, warned that while the recent tremors fall within the expected parameters of aftershock activity, the fault remains active and could produce a more destructive earthquake.
“We must not underestimate the seismic risk. This is a volatile fault system, and it demands close, continuous monitoring,” he said.
Civil Protection teams have been reinforced with additional personnel and equipment as part of a coordinated response.
Emergency shelters have been prepared in case evacuations become necessary, and local authorities have begun assessing buildings for structural integrity.
The Greek Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has also issued advisories urging residents to prepare emergency kits, avoid unstable structures, and remain alert to official announcements.
With the region’s long history of seismic activity, Greek officials are no strangers to earthquake preparedness, but the current sequence of events has rekindled unease across affected communities.
As aftershocks continue to ripple through the island, residents of Euboea are bracing for what may come next, hoping that the earth’s unrest will soon subside without further devastation.