According to Christodoulos Hatzigeorgiou, Head of the Geological Survey Department, two aftershocks have been recorded following a magnitude 4.9 earthquake in Paphos.
The earthquake was felt across Cyprus, particularly in the districts of Paphos and Limassol. Hatzigeorgiou stated that the epicentre was in the sea area of Cyprus, 18 kilometres southwest of Paphos, at a depth of 13 kilometres. This area, he noted, has a history of seismic activity.
Over the last three decades, he said, there have been eight earthquakes in the region ranging from 4.5 to 5.2 on the Richter scale. This particular area, he explained, is where the Cypriot arc connects with the transform fault that runs south of Paphos up to the northern shores west of Polis Chrysochous.
Hatzigeorgiou emphasised that this earthquake was within the expected range of normal seismic activity for Cyprus.
When asked about preparedness, the Director advised that people should familiarise themselves with the appropriate measures to take during an earthquake.
He recommended referring to the Civil Defence and informative leaflets for guidance.
In the event of a more powerful earthquake, Hatzigeorgiou stressed that the priority should be self-preservation. “If we save ourselves, we can then assist others,” he added.
He emphasised that during an earthquake, the immediate priority is survival, as there is little time for anything else, and our reactions must be swift.
Read more:
