Schools on the eastern Aegean Island of Lesbos (Lesvos) will remain closed on Wednesday January 22 due to building inspections being conducted following an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale that shook the island on Tuesday.
More specifically, all schools in the municipal units of Mantamados, Mithymna, and Petra of the municipality of Western Lesbos will not open their doors on Wednesday as necessary inspections will be underway in school buildings to record any potential damage caused by yesterday’s 5.1-magnitude earthquake, officials reported.
According to the mayor of Western Lesbos, Taxiarchis Verros, “There have been no reports of damage to the schools, but we are conducting inspections this morning as a precautionary measure.”
Strong Earthquake
A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 struck Lesbos at 10:38 pm last night and was also felt opposite the island on the West Anatolia coast of Turkey. According to initial measurements, the epicenter was located in the northern part of Lesbos, in a marine area 10 kilometers northwest of Mantamados.
Aftershocks and Rockslides Prompt Caution
As reported, the earthquake caused rockslides between the areas of Argennos and Vafios in northern Lesbos. According to Themis Kammenos, president of the Lepetymnos Community, the road in that area is currently closed.
Professor Efthymios Lekkas, an expert in Dynamic Tectonic Applied Geology & Disaster Management and President of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, noted that eight aftershocks measuring between 1.5 and 2.5 on the Richter scale followed the initial earthquake. “It seems we are witnessing a gradual release of the phenomenon. There is no need to worry; the structures on the island can withstand stronger earthquakes.”
However, he emphasized that the area requires monitoring, as it has high seismic activity, particularly in the nearby regions of Turkey, more so than on the island of Lesbos itself.
