In the middle of the night of 19th July 2017, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in the sea between Kos and Bodrum.

Published 7 years ago, updated 5 years ago

Aegean Earthquake. A report from www.independent.co.uk

A 6.7-magnitude quake struck in the Aegean Sea on Friday night 20th July 2017, south of the Turkish city of Bodrum and east of the small Greek island of Kos. It was followed by several strong aftershocks.

Buildings were damaged, 2 people killed on Kos and many more injured on Kos and at Bodrum. It also triggered a small tsunami of about 2 feet. The quayside on Kos suffered several large cracks and the pier was damaged.

Damaged pier of the port of Kos 

The tsunami at the port of Kos caused several boats to be lifted onto the shore. Nonsite has not received any news about cruisers being affected.

‘There was first a noise and then a roar… my boat was dragged to the shore’. Boat captain Metin Kestaneci, 40, told how he was asleep on his vessel when the quake hit. “There was first a noise and then a roar. Before I could ask ‘what’s happening?’ my boat was dragged toward the shore. We found ourselves on the shore,” Kestaneci said. “I’ve never experienced such a thing.”

Only the port of Kos was affected. The remainder of the island appears undamaged.

The port of Brodum was also damaged and many people were injured, fortunately, none seriously. In both places, tourists and residents opted to spend the remainder of the night out in the open.

Contributions from various news sources including The Independent, BBC News Online, www.TheGuardian.com and www.ybw.com/news.