A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Greek island of Rhodes in the Aegean Sea, causing widespread tremors felt by British tourists. Despite the shaking felt at the airport and hotels, no significant damage was reported.
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Greek island of Rhodes on Wednesday night. The epicenter was located in the Aegean Sea, approximately 67 kilometers southwest of the island. Although the tremor was felt widely, it did not cause significant damage.
British tourists in Rhodes described the experience on social media, with some reporting feeling the shaking at the airport and in various hotels. One tourist recounted, “The whole airport shook so quick outta nowhere, the walls and floor shaking. It felt weird and crazy.” Another mentioned feeling the tremor in a hotel room, while a third humorously noted a shaking table on their balcony near Faliraki.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) and the German Research Centre for Geosciences both recorded the earthquake, with the latter noting a similar magnitude of 4.9. Nearby areas such as Lindos, Gennadi, and the island’s capital, Rhodes, also experienced the light vibration. In addition, the tremor was felt in parts of Turkey.
Rhodes has a history of seismic activity; in January 2023, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake affected the island, with tremors felt as far as Egypt and Lebanon. The most significant earthquake in Greek history occurred in 1956 on the island of Amorgos, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, which caused considerable destruction and resulted in a tsunami, killing 53 people and injuring 100 more.
