Strong Earthquake Hits Ioannina, Greece – Damage in Thesprotia

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Ioannina region at 05:32, with its epicenter 12 kilometers east of Leptokarya, Thesprotia. The focal depth is estimated at 13 kilometers.

The tremor was felt in Epirus, Thessaly, and the Ionian Islands. Aftershocks followed, with the strongest measuring 4.7 and 3.4 on the Richter scale.

According to reports, the earthquake was felt over a wide area, even as far as Patras and Larissa. Efthymios Lekkas, president of OASP, stated that the tremor was felt throughout Western Greece due to its magnitude, shallow focal depth, and the time it occurred.

In the village of Polydroso, Thesprotia, damage was recorded in at least four houses. Rockfalls occurred on the Egnatia Odos highway in the section towards Igoumenitsa.

Vasilis Karastathis, director of the Geodynamic Institute, is monitoring the aftershock sequence. Akis Tselentis reported that the seismic sequence is normal and there is no cause for concern.

Efthymios Lekkas advised against using damaged houses before they are inspected and to follow the instructions of the Civil Protection authorities.