NewsLab

The unprecedented in intensity and duration earthquake of 6,5 Richter, 205 kilometres westwards of Athens, caused terror and panic, while it woke up memories of the deadly earthquake of Athens in 1999. Two people dead, dozens wounded in the prefectures of Achaia and Ilia in Peloponnesus that has not yet recovered from last summers’ devastating fires. Earthquake’s depth was only 10 kilometres underground and it was felt in the biggest part of Greece. The quake was also felt in southern Italy, across the Ionian sea from Greece, Italian officials said. Dozens of houses were damaged and 50 collapsed near the epicentre. Rescuers managed to save a 9-year-old little girl from the rubble in a small village and a three-member family of foreigners. More than 85 injured people have been transferred to hospitals in the Patra area and to Health Centres in the prefectures of Achaia and Ilia. While the state is on alert, scientists are monitoring the aftershock sequence, advising people to remain calm. Greece experiences more seismic activity than any other country in Europe, accounting for half of the continent’s recorded quakes. Watch the dramatic footage here.