Crete, Greece’s largest island, has been rocked by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that was felt as far away as Israel, Egypt and Turkey. But if you have a holiday booked, is it still safe to travel?
The quake struck in the early hours of Wednesday near the island of Karpathos in the Aegean Sea, at a depth of 22 miles, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.
No injuries or serious property damage were reported.
This morning, Greece’s Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection shared a warning on X, which included a potential tsunami threat.
It read: ‘A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area. Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities.’
Greece is one of Europe’s most earthquake-prone countries, and an unprecedented level of seismic activity shook the popular tourist island of Santorini for weeks earlier this year.
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Map of Crete: location in Greece
Crete is located in the southern part of Greece, in the Aegean Sea.
The country’s largest island, it is home to more than 624,000 people, with around a third of the population living in the capital city of Heraklion.
Crete is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece, with 15% of visitors arriving in Heraklion.
It’s particularly popular with British and Irish holidaymakers, who have been lured by affordable packages and all-inclusive resorts for decades.
Is it safe to travel to Crete?
At this point, there are no disruptions or cancellations to inbound flights to Crete.
However, travellers heading to the island should check with their airlines before departure for any updates.
Brits already in Crete, Kasos and Karpathos have been advised to move to higher ground and stay away from the coast until tsunami warnings have been lifted.
Crete is a big hitter for British tourists. It is the second most popular destination for British tourists in Greece, after Germany, according to data from Statista. In 2024, an estimated 871,000 Brits visited Crete.
Most holidaymakers split their time between Heraklion and Chania.
Rethymno is another most popular hotspot, as the city sits directly between the two. It receives over half a million international tourists each year.
The bustling harbour town is within driving distance of locations such as Balos lagoon, Preveli Beach, Matala, and Elafonisi, recently named the best beach in the world for 2025.
Are flights cancelled at Heraklion Airport?
Right now, the majority of flights from Heraklion Airport, Crete’s primary airport, are on schedule.
The only disruptions include the delayed 11:15am arrival flight from Amsterdam and the cancelled 0:10am departure flight to Tel Aviv.
Are flights cancelled at Chania airport?
Chania Airport, which is the gateway to western Crete, has not been affected so far.
Right now, there are no disruptions to departing flights. As for arrivals, the 14:00 EasyJet flight from London Gatwick is the only flight delayed.
Earthquakes in Greece
Greece is one of Europe’s most earthquake-prone countries. Its position between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates means seismic activity is common.
Recently, the popular island of Santorini – which is also battling with the effects of overtourism – experienced a surge in unprecedented tremors. In February, an earthquake struck, which measured 5.2 on the Richter scale.
Thousands were forced to evacuate.
In October 2021, Crete was rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. A month before, an earlier quake devastated villages near the Cretan capital of Heraklion.
It damaged hundreds of homes and left many families displaced. The deadly tremor killed one person and injured dozens more.
In terms of Wednesday’s earthquake, Greek seismologist Efthymis Lekkas said it was an isolated event, unrelated to the Santorini activity and recent quake in Turkey.
He told state broadcaster ERT: ‘There is neither a notable foreshock sequence nor a significant series of aftershocks – these types of quakes typically occur as single events.
‘There is absolutely no link to the seismic events in Santorini – the geotectonic context is entirely different – and there is no connection whatsoever to the earthquake in Turkey.’
What to do if you’re caught in an earthquake abroad
In the event of an earthquake, The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) says you should drop to the floor, cover your head, and hold on to a fixed object.
Stay where you are if you’re inside a building, but don’t shelter under door frames. As above, head to higher ground if you’re by the coast.
The FCDO recommends following local evacuation or sheltering advice, as aftershocks can be common. For British nationals affected, the FCDO will set up a specific crisis response. This can include a dedicated hotline or online registration where you can apply for assistance.
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