112 was called for a large earthquake in Chania: 6.4 Richter, evacuation of schools, injured, tsunami – The great “Minoas” exercise is in progress | Video + Photos

School evacuations, rescues in the canyons, rescues and injuries, are included in the scenario of the major earthquake exercise “Minoas 2024” which started this morning at 10 in Chania.

The given episode is virtual and concerns an earthquake of 6.4 on the Richter scale in the maritime area of ​​Souda. The earthquake will cause rocks to fall in canyons of the prefecture, while all schools and public buildings will be evacuated. More than 60 agencies are participating in the exercise, the Region of Crete, Municipalities, Fire Department, etc. while the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, is also in Crete.

At approximately 10:20 am, 112 “rang” on citizens’ mobile phones.

In particular, on April 22, message 112 had the following content:

“EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CRISIS AND CIVIL PROTECTION – 22/04/2024 – TIME 10:30 – Strong earthquake vibration felt in the Regional Units of Chania and Rethymno – Start of earthquake exercise MINOAS 2024”. EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE – MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CRISIS AND CIVIL PROTECTION – 22/04/2024– TIME 10:30 – A strong earthquake in the Regional Units of Chania and Rethymno – Start of earthquake exercise MINOAS 2024. EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE”.

A. “EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CRISIS AND CIVIL PROTECTION – 23/04/2024 – TIME 10:40 – Very strong seismic tremor felt throughout Crete. Commencement of earthquake exercise MINOAS 2024. EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE – “EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE – MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CRISIS AND CIVIL PROTECTION – 23/04/2024 – TIME 10:30 – A very strong earthquake was felt throughout Crete. Start of earthquake exercise MINOAS 2024. EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE”.

B. “EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CRISIS AND CIVIL PROTECTION – 23/04/2024 – TIME …. A magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred with an epicenter 30 km north of Heraklion. Risk of a possible tsunami event in your area. Move immediately away from the shores. Follow the instructions of the local authorities. EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE”. -“EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE – MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CRISIS AND CIVIL PROTECTION – 23/04/2024 – TIME…. A magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred with an epicenter 30 km north of Heraklion. Risk of a possible tsunami in your area. Move immediately away from the shores. Please follow the instructions of the local authorities. EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE”.

The siren sounded at 10:20 in the morning and immediately after the town hall of Chania was evacuated and the workers gathered in Kotzambasi square

After the earthquake, the coordination of civil protection of the Regional Unit of Chania was convened as an emergency

In the Markopoulos camp, there has been an incident with a building collapse and there are four injured.

The scenario also envisages trapping people in the Samaria Gorge with one of them unconscious.

Please note that on Monday 22/4 the following Municipality Services, related to the exercise, will remain closed to the public from 10.00 to 11.00:

Services of the central Municipal Building (Kydonias 29)
Pantheon Palace Services
Services of Gregory V
Construction Service
GOD
KEP of Freedom Square (Courts).
In order to avoid misinterpretation, confusion, panic and a response similar to a real earthquake event, the media, our fellow citizens and visitors are asked to remain calm.

On the occasion of the exercise, all citizens can be informed from the website of the Municipality and in particular at the link https://www.chania.gr/ta-chania-mou/polprostasia/politikh-prostasia.html about the places of refuge for the population after earthquake, which have been determined by the Civil Protection Office of the Municipality, in accordance with the instructions of the OASP.

In addition, detailed instructions for conducting the exercise, as well as other information related to civil protection, will be posted on the website of the Municipality of Chania. Any new information that emerges will be posted on the Municipality’s website.

The scenario includes earthquakes of several magnitudes in Chania and Heraklion, fires and other incidents with huge impacts on schools, hospitals, airports, ports, incidents which – as noted by Mr. Lekkas, clarifying that “they are not imaginary, we have seen them happen and scenarios which are fully justified based on the existing geological conditions, absolutely realistic facts”.

“What we have seen happen is beyond any imagination, like a movie,” he emphasized, clarifying then that the exercise was planned during a period of calm, of course it was not planned because there is any danger, after all, seismic events are unpredictable. We will be given the opportunity to identify both our strengths and weaknesses.” he reported.