Cracks appearing over the past day in roads and homes southwest of Iraklio, Crete, have alarmed residents and spurred swift action from authorities. The fissures, spanning roughly 150 meters in the Voutes area, have impacted roads and about ten houses, likely due to ground subsidence.
Local officials have begun inspections, with the Earthquake Risk Assessment Committee, led by Professor Efthimios Lekkas, set to conduct detailed checks on Monday. The Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection announced a thorough investigation into the cracks’ causes and potential spread to nearby areas. An emergency response plan is in development, and a state of emergency is under consideration.
Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos visited the site Sunday, emphasizing the need for immediate geological and geotechnical assessments. “Declaring a state of emergency would speed up critical procedures,” he said. [AMNA]