Crete rattled by strong aftershocks a day after earthquake

Tremors of 5.3 magnitude were recorded on the Greek island on Tuesday

An elderly woman sits outside a tent in Archalochori village, near Heraklio city, in the aftermath of an earthquake registering 5. 8 on the Richter scale, Greece, 28 September 2021. Authorities set up tents for residents of Arkalohori in the southern part of Crete, after an earthquake registering 5. 8 on the Richter scale shook the island on September 27th. One person died while repairing a church rook and nine people were injured, one seriously. Arkalohori homes sustained heavy damage and are unsafe. Armed Forces, volunteers and members of the Hellenic Red Cross set up a temporary tent camp for Monday night. Tents were also set up at villages along the municipality of Minoas Pediadas, where homes have been damaged. EPA / NIKOS CHALKIADAKIS

The rubble of a Cretan church following Monday's earthquake. Photo: AFP

Residents outside their tents in Arkalochori village on the southern Greek island of Crete. Photo: AP

A damaged classroom in a school in Arkalochori, Crete. Photo: AP

People walk past rubble following Monday's earthquake on the island of Crete. Photo: Reuters

A man takes photos of a damaged church in the village of Roussochoria. Photo: Reuters

A woman sits outside a damaged building in Roussochoria following Monday's earthquake. Photo: Reuters

Firefighters search for survivors in the rubble of a church in Arkalochori. Photo: AFP

The Greek island of Crete has been hit by strong aftershocks a day after an earthquake killed one person and damaged hundreds of buildings, leaving many people homeless.

The strongest tremor on Tuesday was measured at 5.3 magnitude at 7.48am, according to the national seismology observatory in Athens.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is preparing to visit the area.

A preliminary inspection has shown about a thousand buildings were damaged in Monday's quake, which struck at a depth of just 10 kilometres.

The epicentre was near the agricultural town of Arkalochori, where a man was killed inside a church that collapsed. Nearly a dozen other people were injured.

"It was a very difficult night. We had many aftershocks ... we were awake all night," Arkalochori community head Chryssoula Kegeroglou told public broadcaster ERT.

The authorities have put up tents to host hundreds of people whose homes are deemed unsafe. Dozens of hotel rooms have also been made available.

Ms Kegeroglou said about a thousand people spent the night in tents in the outlying area.

Greece lies on a number of fault lines, and is sporadically hit by earthquakes.

The last deadly quake in the country took place on March 3 in the central town of Elassona, killing one person, injuring 10 and causing major damage.