Stark warning for Irish tourists as tsunami threatens popular holiday destination

Irish tourists have been warned following a tsunami alert after a strong earthquake has struck the southern islands in Greece.

The 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the coast of Crete, triggering the tsunami warnings and emergency measures across the popular holiday destination.

The earthquake's epicentre was located in the sea, approximately 60 kilometres northeast of Elounda on the coast of Crete, according the the US Geological Survey.

Early reports say there have been no injuries following the quake on Thursday, but tremors were felt as far away as Egypt and and Turkey.

Head of the Earthquake and Planning Protection Organisation, Efthymios Lekkas, said the the depth of the quake, 69 metres under the sea, likely reduced the impact of the quake on land.

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The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) however, has issued a tsunami warning as a precaution.

"Depending on the distance of the earthquake from the coastline, the tsunami could be local (<100km), regional (<1,000km), or distant (>1,000km)", a spokesperson said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs advises Irish travellers people to keep in line with information set out by the Greek Ministry of Tourism in the event of an earthquake:

Greece is located in an active seismic zone and tremors are common, although serious earthquakes are not so frequent. 

If you are inside a building:

• Remain calm
• Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture (table, desk etc.), get on your knees and hold on to the leg of the table or the desk
• If a sturdy piece of furniture does not exist, get on your knees in the middle the room, stay as low as possible and cover your head with your hands. Keep away from large glass surfaces such as windows, or furniture and objects that might hurt you.
• Do not try to leave the building.
• Do not get out on a balcony, if one exists

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If you are in a tall building:

• Keep away from glass windows and outer walls

If in a shopping mall or a big commercial store:

• Remain calm
• Stay exactly where you are until the tremble comes to a stop
• Do not get swept away by the running crowd rushing towards the exits because there is a high risk of being stepped over.

If you are outside:

• Get away from places situated exactly underneath buildings or from places where there are telephone or electricity cables.
• If carrying a bag or backpack, put it over your head in order to protect yourself.

If you are in a car:

• Go to an open space and stop the car somewhere where it does not impede the circulation of other vehicles
• Keep away from tunnels or bridges