Strong earthquake above 6.3 on Richter scale rocks Mytilene - A woman found dead (pics)
A strong earthquake measuring at least 6.1 on the Richter scale shook the northeastern Aegean at 15:28 on Monday, as measured by the Geodynamic Institute in Athens, or 6.3 on the Richter scale according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).
The epicentre of the quake was located in the sea 14 km south of Plomari and 34 km from Mytilene, between the island and the coast of Turkey, while it was felt as far away as Attica.
The first powerful quake was almost immediately followed by a lighter aftershock measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale at 15:35 with roughly the same epicentre, located 15km south of Plomari.
Talking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, seismologist Gerasimos Chouliaras said the focal depth of the earthquake is calculated at roughly 10 km, meaning that it is a surface tremor and is expected to produce a number of aftershocks.
According to initial reports from the island, the quake has caused damage to buildings in the south and the collapse of old houses in the village of Plomari, as well as the dome on Agios Panteleimonas Church. The central road from Mytilene to Plomari and Melinta is closed due to rockfall near Agios Isidoros while Plomari Deputy Mayor Manolis Armenakas said damage has been reported in the village of Plagia.
Chios Mayor Manolis Vournous, whose island was also severely jolted by the tremor, said that no significant damage has been reported, only minor damage in the main town and the village of Kampos.
A woman found dead
Rescue workers reached body of 45-year-old woman trapped under the rubble of a fallen house in Vrisa, Lesvos following Monday's destructive earthquake but she was already dead, authorities reported.
Fire brigade rescue crews found her body at 20:20 on Monday night.
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