Cracks caused by soil subsidence have been reported in roads and homes in the Voutes area of Heraklion over the past 24 hours, raising concerns among the local population.
Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos conducted an on-site inspection this morning and has been in communication with Professor Efthymios Lekkas, the President of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP). According to the municipality, Professor Lekkas is expected to arrive in Heraklion tonight, with an on-site inspection scheduled for early tomorrow morning alongside Mayor Kalokairinos and municipal officials.
“We Will Seek to Declare the Village in State of Emergency”
Mayor Kalokairinos, accompanied by local officials, including deputy mayors, the president, and members of the local council, toured the affected areas where cracks have appeared in roads and approximately ten homes, stretching over a 150-meter length. They witnessed the severity of the issue and announced plans to request that the village be declared in a state of emergency.
“We are here in Voutes for a preliminary assessment of a phenomenon that is alarming both the residents and all of us. Initial findings suggest that the phenomenon is ongoing, and we must address the situation promptly. For this reason, we will seek to declare the village in a state of emergency and are working closely with the Region of Crete,” said Kalokairinos.
Immediate Priority for Damage Control
During his visit, Kalokairinos spoke with residents, who expressed their concerns about the situation. He emphasized that addressing this issue is a top priority for the municipality. He highlighted that quick geological and geotechnical studies would be carried out by specialized experts coming from Athens to assess the potential risks to the village and its inhabitants.
“The immediate goal is to conduct a geological and geotechnical assessment, which should begin immediately. The declaration of an emergency will help expedite all necessary procedures. Tomorrow morning, a team of engineers from our Technical Service will be here to evaluate the situation. This is a high-priority issue, and we are committed to preventing any risks to the village and alleviating the understandable concern that has arisen,” Kalokairinos stated.
He also pointed out that specialized studies would be necessary and emphasized that the experts would need to have the appropriate qualifications, so they will be brought in from Athens. This, he noted, will require support from the central government.
“We are currently reaching out to the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Civil Protection. These three ministries have joint responsibility for these matters,” he concluded.
