Greece: A 5.3 magnitude earthquake shakes the northwestern part of the country, no casualties reported
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck northwestern Greece, particularly affecting the region of Ioannina, with no reported casualties or significant damage.
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in northwestern Greece during the night from Saturday to Sunday, felt strongly in the region of Ioannina, which is located in Epirus and approximately 420 km northwest of Athens. Initial reports from local authorities indicate that there were no casualties or considerable damage from the quake. Residents in the affected areas reported feeling significant shaking but the response teams are yet to identify any major incidents following the earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake was located near the municipality of Leptokarya at a depth of 14 km, as confirmed by the seismological station in Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece. In the aftermath, more than a dozen aftershocks ranging from 2.5 to 4.6 in magnitude were recorded, which is common following such seismic activity. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure public safety and to assess any infrastructural impacts. The prefect of Epirus, Alexandros Karhimanis, mentioned on Action24 television that there were minor rockfalls reported on the Egnatia highway, but these did not appear to pose significant threats to motorists. Overall, it appears that the earthquake, while felt strongly, has not resulted in any major disaster, allowing local authorities to focus on ongoing monitoring and public safety measures.