Specialists assess damage to Athos monasteries after powerful earthquake

The Holy Mount Athos has begun full-scale inspections of monastic complexes to determine the extent of damage caused by the strong earthquake that struck last Wednesday. According to preliminary data, historical buildings received only minor damage, and there were no reports of casualties among the monks.

According to the Greek edition of Orthodoxia.info, the epicenter of the seismic event was located in the underwater space near the shores of the monastic state. The tremors were accompanied by a strong rumble, which caused the immediate mobilization of emergency services. Fire and police teams are currently surveying the buildings to check their static stability and ensure the safety of residents.

Despite the fact that many residents of the surrounding settlements spent the night in the open, experts record only minor material losses in a number of specific abodes. Seismologists are closely monitoring the situation, noting that increased activity in the region has persisted for the past two years. Specialists remain somewhat cautious due to the difficulty of mapping the underwater fault, but current assessments indicate that the fault potential should not lead to catastrophic consequences.

The results of the current inspections will form the basis of a plan to restore the damaged monuments. The Holy Synod and local authorities are in constant contact to coordinate efforts and normalize the situation on the Holy Mountain as soon as possible.