5.2-magnitude earthquake strikes offshore near Zakynthos

A powerful 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck offshore near the Greek island of Zakynthos in the early hours of Tuesday, according to the National Observatory of Athens. The quake hit at 1:41 a.m. local time in the Ionian Sea, about 89km west-southwest of the village of Agios Leon and roughly 345 kilometers west of Athens.

The shaking was felt in several parts of western Greece, including the cities of Patras and Pyrgos, unsettling many residents. However, authorities confirmed that there were no reports of injuries or damage. Experts said the earthquake originated at a depth of around 8.5km.

Nearly an hour later, at 2:50 a.m., a weaker aftershock measuring 3.3 magnitude occurred in the same offshore region, approximately 75 kilometers west-southwest of Agios Leon. This aftershock was recorded at a shallower depth of about 6 kilometers.

Seismologists continue to keep a close watch on the area and have stressed that there is no immediate reason for alarm. So far, no additional significant seismic activity has been detected.