Everything is ready for the big “Minoas” exercise, the biggest anti-seismic exercise that has ever been carried out in Greece and which will take place tomorrow Monday and the day after tomorrow Tuesday in Crete for anti-seismic protection. Efthimios Lekkas, professor of Geology and Natural Disaster Management, spoke about this important earthquake protection exercise on ERTNews and on the show “Weekend from 6”.

10 ministries are participating in the exercise

“It is the largest anti-seismic exercise that has ever been carried out in Greece with the participation of all of Crete, with the participation of the central agencies. About ten ministries are involved,” said Mr. Lekkas.

Speaking about this important exercise, president of the OASP clarified that it will take place throughout Crete, in the four Regional Units and in the 24 municipalities of Crete.

“The scenario includes two earthquakes. The first earthquake will occur on Monday after 10:00 and will be near Chania with a magnitude of 6.4. It will mainly affect the regional units of Chania and Rethymno” explained Mr. Lekkas. As he said on Tuesday, a second scenario will follow with an earthquake that will occur north of Heraklion, with a magnitude of around 7.2 degrees that will affect all of Crete but mainly the regional units of Heraklion and Lasithi.

And as Mr. Lekkas stated, among others, the exercise includes 75 episodes, which make up a realistic scenario. “These are areas that may face problems during a major earthquake. It is the largest exercise that has been carried out in the Greek area. Over 100,000 – 150,000 people will take part. It includes not only the main network of the scenario and the episodes, but essentially also horizontal actions which will be developed in the ports, the airports, the fire brigade, the police, all public services, the municipalities and the 1040 schools of Crete”.

As Mr. Lekkas finally explained to ERTNews, “the exercise is done for preventive reasons and will be done in each region once a year, so that we can be organized as a whole in Greece”.

The 112 messages that will be sent to mobile phones

O Municipality of Chania informs that on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd April 2024 an Operational Earthquake Exercise codenamed “MINOAS 2024” will take place in the Region of Crete. In this exercise, all Civil Protection Services / agencies / volunteers are involved (Fire Service, ELAS, EKAV, Region of Crete, Municipalities, volunteers).

As part of the exercise, messages from 112 (in Greek and English) will be sent to all residents of the Municipality and visitors, which will also signal the start of the earthquake exercise.

In particular, on April 22, message 112 will have 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 Rethymnon – 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”.

On April 23, 2024, two 112 messages will be sent to all of Crete, with the following content:

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”.

Please note that on Monday 22/4 the following Municipality Services, related to the exercise, will be 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, in website of the Municipality of Chania detailed instructions for conducting the exercise will be posted, as well as other information related to civil protection. Any new information that emerges will be posted on the Municipality’s website.