“Minoas”: The largest anti-seismic exercise in Greece has begun – 112 was rung in Crete

Shortly after 10 in the morning, 112 rang the phones of the residents and visitors of Crete, as part of the “Minoas 2024” anti-seismic exercise.

Specifically, the message was written in Greek and English:

“EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CRISIS AND CIVIL PROTECTION 22/04/2024 – TIME 10:20 – Strong earthquake vibration felt in the Chania and Rethymnon Regional Units – Commencement of earthquake exercise MINOAS 2024”

It is recalled that this is the largest full-scale operational field exercise ever planned in Greece to deal with a major earthquake organized by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the Organization for Earthquake Planning & Protection (OASP) and the Region of Crete.

The exercise takes place in the presence of the minister Vassilis Kikilia and Efthymios Lekkas, professor of Geology and Natural Disaster Management.

What does exercise involve?

According to Mr. Lekkas, approximately 10 ministries are participating in the exercise and he clarified that it will take place throughout Crete, in the four Regional Units and in the 24 municipalities of Crete.

“The scenario includes two earthquakes. The first earthquake will occur on Monday after 10:00 and will be near Chania with a magnitude of 6.4. It will mainly affect the regional units of Chania and Rethymnon. We will have quite a few episodes in these two regional sections. On Tuesday, a second scenario will follow with an earthquake that will occur north of Heraklion, with a magnitude of around 7.2 degrees that will affect all of Crete, but mainly the regional units of Heraklion and Lasithi.

According to the president of the OASP “the exercise includes 75 episodes that make up the special scenario, which is a realistic scenario, that is, the things we will practice in and the areas we will practice in, are areas that may face problems during a major earthquake. It is the largest exercise that has been carried out in the Greek area. Over 100,000 – 150,000 people will take part. It includes not only the main network of the scenario and the episodes, but essentially also horizontal actions which will be developed in the ports, airports, fire department, police, all public services, municipalities and the 1,040 schools of Crete”.

Two messages tomorrow

As reported by cretapost.gr, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, two 112 messages will be sent to all of Crete.

(1) The first message, which will signal the start of the second day’s exercise, will be sent after 10:00 am. and will have the following content:

“EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CRISIS AND CIVIL PROTECTION 23/04/2024 – TIME (…) – Very strong seismic tremor felt throughout Crete. Start of MINOAS 2024 earthquake exercise. EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE

EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE – MINISTRY FOR CLIMATE CRISIS AND CIVIL PROTECTION 23/04/2024 – TIME (…) – A very strong earthquake was felt throughout Crete. Start of earthquake exercise MINOAS 2024. EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE”

(2) The second message will follow a few minutes after the first and will be a warning message about the risk of a tsunami due to the seismic vibration. The message will have the following content:

“EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CRISIS & CIVIL PROTECTION 23/04/2024 HOUR (…) – A magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred with an epicenter 30 km W of Heraklion. Risk of a possible tsunami event in your area. Move immediately away from the shores. Follow local authority guidelines PRACTICE – PRACTICE – PRACTICE

EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE – CIVIL PROTECTION GREECE 23/04/2024 TIME (…) – A magnitude 7.2 earthquake has occurred 30 km N of Heraklion. Tsounami warning for your area. Move away from coastal areas now. Follow the instructions of local authorities. EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE”.