A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck the region of Thesprotia on Sunday, March 8, resulting in considerable damage to more than 140 buildings in Ioannina, Greece. The majority of the affected buildings are residences, but significant issues have been reported in religious sites and schools, which have been largely closed for years. In response to the earthquake's impact, the Municipality of Ioanniton has conducted inspections of educational facilities to assess safety.

As inspections of public buildings continue, some have yet to be completed, necessitating further evaluations from specialized teams. Consequently, the Municipality announced that schools, including kindergartens and preschools, will not operate on Tuesday, March 10. Notably affected institutions include several daycare centers and kindergartens, which are played an essential role in the local community’s infrastructure.

The situation reflects the ongoing challenges faced in the region regarding seismic safety and building integrity. Residents and local authorities are keen on ensuring that schools and public buildings are safe for use, especially in light of potential aftershocks. The closures will hinder normal routines for families and place increased pressure on local resources as the community seeks to recover from this earthquake incident.