5.8-Magnitude Earthquake Near Rhodes Shakes Greece and Turkey
British holidaymakers were among those jolted awake in the early hours of Tuesday morning as a 5.8-magnitude earthquake near Rhodes sent tremors across the Greek islands and the Turkish coast. The quake struck just after 2am local time, with shockwaves felt across the southern Aegean.
For many UK travellers enjoying the tail end of their summer break, it was a rude awakening. Guests staying on upper floors of hotels in Rhodes described the walls shaking and the beds shifting. One visitor joked that they could now tick “earthquake” off their travel checklist – though the humour masked the real fright of the experience.
The 5.8-magnitude earthquake near Rhodes was strong enough to cause widespread alarm but, fortunately, not widespread destruction. On the Turkish coast, however, the aftermath was more serious. A 14-year-old girl died in the resort town of Fethiye after suffering cardiac complications triggered during the quake. Dozens more were injured in Muğla province while attempting to flee buildings in panic. Many were treated for falls and minor injuries in overstretched local hospitals.
British tour operators moved quickly to reassure travellers. One major firm issued updated guidance to guests in the region, urging them to remain calm and follow hotel safety procedures. There were no reports of serious damage to tourist infrastructure, and flights continued as normal throughout Tuesday.
This part of the eastern Mediterranean is no stranger to seismic activity, and the 5.8-magnitude earthquake near Rhodes follows several notable tremors in recent years. It also comes less than a month after another offshore quake near Crete prompted precautionary safety alerts. While these events rarely lead to major destruction, they do reinforce the region’s vulnerability to tectonic shifts — something both locals and visitors are always quietly aware of.
For UK travellers, it’s a reminder that popular summer destinations often sit near geological fault lines. That doesn’t mean people are discouraged from visiting, but it does highlight the value of knowing local safety guidance — especially in places where late-night tremors are more common than most realise.
Holidaymakers currently in Rhodes and neighbouring islands were advised to expect mild aftershocks in the hours and days following the quake. Early reports confirmed several smaller tremors ranging between 2.2 and 3.0 on the magnitude scale.
Local authorities in Greece and Turkey have both launched standard safety checks, and rescue teams were dispatched in Turkey as a precaution. In Rhodes, disaster response remained on standby, though no immediate rescue operations were required.
For now, it’s life as usual in the resorts. Sunbeds were back in use by mid-morning, and cafés filled up with customers swapping earthquake stories over coffee. But for many, it was a moment they won’t forget.
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