Today the operational earthquake exercise “MINOAS 2024” in Agios Nikolaos

The Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, the Earthquake Planning & Protection Organization and the Region of Crete are organizing a full-scale field exercise to deal with a major seismic event and accompanying geodynamic phenomena in Crete under the general name “Minoas 2024” on April 22-23, 2024 in in which the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos also participates.

The purpose of the Operational Exercise of the Field of Full Development of an Earthquake and Accompanying Geodynamic Phenomena is to contribute to the reduction of seismic risk on the island of Crete through a series of actions and achievable goals.

The “Minoas 2024” Exercise, which will take place simultaneously in all Prefectures of Crete, will include a strong earthquake on Monday, April 22, 2024, in the underwater area north-east of the city of Chania, which will affect the P.E. Chania and Rethymno and then a new strong earthquake on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, which will occur in the underwater area north of the city of Heraklion, will be strongly felt throughout Crete and will affect the P.E. Heraklion and Lasithi, while at the same time Sea Geodynamic Waves (Tsunamis) will be caused which will affect the northern coasts of Crete.

Exercise “Minoas 2024” involves all the Emergency Services of Crete (Fire Brigade, Greek Police, National First Aid Center, Coast Guard/Hellenic Coast Guard), Civil Protection Agencies/Services (Regional and Municipalities of Crete), the Armed Forces and the other bodies / Services of the Public and Private Sector in Crete, Civil Protection Volunteers, and the Bodies / Services at the Central Level of Administration.

The Municipality of Agios Nikolaos informs its residents and visitors that as part of the “Minoas 2024” Exercise, messages will be sent from 112 (in Greek and English), addressed to the general population of Crete, which will signal the start of exercise per day.

In particular, on April 23, 2024, two (2) 112 messages will be sent to all of Crete, with the following content:

1st Message:

“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 OF 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”.

2nd Message:

“EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CRISIS AND CIVIL PROTECTION – 23/04/2024 – TIME …….. An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 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 has occurred 30km N of Heraklion. Tsounami warning for your area. Move away from coastal areas now. Follow the instructions of local authorities. EXERCISE – EXERCISE – EXERCISE”.

It is pointed out that on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Services of the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, which are housed in the Town Hall building, will remain closed to the public during the implementation of a building evacuation exercise, as part of the “Minoas 2024” Exercise, which is going to conducted in it and will resume normal operations after its completion.

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.

What you should do to protect yourself in case of an earthquake.

Get informed and protect yourself with simple instructions from the Organization for Earthquake Planning and Protection (OASP):

A) What should you do? FROM NOW ON: Get ready

1. Find out about the earthquake, the seismicity of the area and protection measures.
2. Discuss with your family members and point out which are the appropriate safety points for each room, how to close the main power switch, which are the useful telephone numbers in case of an emergency (e.g. European Emergency Number 112), which it’s the nearest safe place you’ll go to and meet after an earthquake.
3. Stock up on some essentials such as first aid kit, portable radio, flashlight, etc.
4. Make sure your home is safe. Point out hazards and try to reduce them. Place heavy or fragile items on low shelves. Properly support bulky furniture, lamps, ceiling fans, etc. Do not hang heavy objects on the walls above the beds. Repair any damage that may exist in the building, e.g. leaks, cracks.
5. Take part in readiness exercises.

B) What should you do? DURING of the earthquake:

If you are inside a building:

1. Stay where you are and keep your cool.
2. Bend down, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture (table, desk, desk) and hold his leg with your hands. If there is no suitable furniture, bend down in the middle of the room reducing your height as much as possible and protect your head and neck with your hands. Move away from large glass surfaces (windows, skylights or glass partitions) or furniture and objects that could injure you.

If you are outside:

1. Move away from building facades, utility poles or other dangerous areas (as much as possible) and take proper precautions.
2. Move away from the shore. After a strong earthquake, sea gravity waves (tsunamis) can be created.
3. Reduce the speed of your car, and park in the nearest, safe spot, away from building facades, flyovers, power lines, etc.. Be careful not to obstruct traffic.

C) What should you do? AFTER the earthquake: Implement your earthquake plan.

1. Evacuate the building from the stairwell, after first turning off the electricity, gas and water switches, wearing appropriate clothes and shoes for the season and taking with you the emergency supplies you consider necessary (relevant informative message – video in the link: I evacuate the building from the stairwell)

2. Try not to use your phone or car unnecessarily. Telephone lines must remain operational and roads must be clear.

3. Escape to the default open, nearby, safe area (park, square, etc.), away from building facades or other dangerous places.

4. Expect aftershocks. Aftershocks that follow a strong earthquake can also cause damage to buildings.

5. Help your fellow humans in need. Do not move seriously injured people unless there is a risk of further injury. Inform the relevant services (Fire department: 199, Emergency Department: 166).

PLACES OF REFUGE FOR THE POPULATION FOLLOWING THE EARTHQUAKE EVENT IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF AGIOS NIKOLAOUS

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