A pair of moderate earthquakes struck the central portion of large Evia (Euboea) island on Sunday, causing rockfalls and minor landslides along roads near the town of Mantoudi and prompting a response from local authorities. No injuries were immediately reported.
The earthquakes occurred within minutes of each other, according to the National Observatory of Athens’ Geodynamic Institute.
The first and stronger quake, measuring magnitude 4.8 on the Richter scale, struck at 12:58 p.m. local time (10.58 GMT). Its epicenter was located about six kilometers south of the site of Prokopi in central Evia at a depth of five kilometers, making it widely felt across the island and even as far as the greater Athens metropolitan area.
A second quake was measured at 5.2 and was recorded at 13.02 (11.03 GMT).
Seismologist Kostas Papazachos told ERT that the broader area contains numerous active fault lines. He said the epicentral zone was located near Prokopi, opposite Theologos on the mainland coast of Fthiotida prefecture, north of Athens.
Authorities said inspections were underway to assess any damage to infrastructure and the road network, while civil protection services remained on alert in the event of aftershocks.
