Early risers in Malta got an unexpected wake-up call this morning as a strong earthquake struck the region between Crete and Santorini at around 5:20am. The tremor registered a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale – a level considered strong and typically capable of causing moderate damage in populated areas.
The earthquake was widely felt across the Maltese Islands, with residents in areas such as St Paul’s Bay, Qawra, and Xemxija reporting noticeable shaking. Many described experiencing not one, but two distinct tremors just minutes apart.
Fortunately, no damage or injuries have been reported in Malta at this time.
While Malta is not located on a major fault line, it is close enough to seismic activity in the Mediterranean to occasionally feel the effects of earthquakes originating in nearby regions such as Greece or Italy.
Did you feel the tremor?