Earthquake with 5.8 magnitude strikes Crete, killing man and damaging buildings

The Geodynamic Institute of Athens reports that a 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook Crete, in southern Greece.

According to the Euromediterranean Seismological Center (CSEM), the earthquake was of magnitude 6.5. The USGS, the US geological institute, states that the earthquake was of magnitude 6.

The Athens Institute explained that the epicenter is 23 km from the island’s largest city and capital, Heraklion.

While no injuries were reported immediately after the strong tremor by emergency services, the state broadcaster ERT finally reported that one person was killed and eleven others were injured.

The victim is a worker working in a collapsed church.

The tremor particularly affected the farming town of Arkalohori, where the worker died and where much damage was reported.

“Eleven people were hospitalized, mostly with fractures, two of whom were transferred to the Heraklion hospital,” said an emergency services spokeswoman.