Crete Village Hit by Major Ground Cracks; Officials Scramble to Assess Risk

13:58 28/4/2025 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Authorities are rushing to assess a geological phenomenon unfolding in the village of Voutes, near Heraklion, where large ground cracks have appeared, damaging homes and infrastructure.

Efthymios Lekkas, president of the Permanent Special Scientific Committee for Seismic Risk Assessment, arrived in the area Friday afternoon following an order from Civil

Protection Secretary-General Nikos Papaefstathiou. 

The move came after consultations with Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Giannis Kefalogiannis.

Mr. Lekkas toured the damage alongside Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokairinos and other municipal officials. He said a full survey began Friday night and will continue with specialized equipment and drones.

“Conclusions will only be drawn after thorough observation, mainly tomorrow, when we will map the area precisely,” Mr. Lekkas said. 

He added that the team aims to pinpoint the phenomenon’s location, understand the area's morphology, and assess broader geological conditions.

Priority is being given to inspecting homes with visible cracks, Mr. Kalokairinos said. 

“We must assess the risk to inhabited houses," he noted, adding that significant state support will be needed if the phenomenon proves to be structural.

Speaking to ERTNews, Mr. Lekkas described the situation as a geological event still in progress. 

“We are dealing with two ground ruptures, each about 150 meters long, located in different parts of the village," he said. "These ruptures have caused failures in buildings, public spaces, and utility networks."

He said the cracks have been widening over the past week. Officials carried out a broad site inspection Friday, but the survey will intensify morning.

When asked whether neighboring areas could also be affected, Mr. Lekkas said expansion is possible. "The phenomenon is ongoing, so it could spread. 

We will monitor it closely in the coming days," he said.

Some old, uninhabited structures have suffered significant damage. However, for homes that are still occupied, authorities have advised residents to stay elsewhere for the night as a precaution.

The Disaster Recovery Directorate (DAEF) is expected to dispatch engineers to inspect the safety of affected structures in the coming days.

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