ATHENS —

       An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of at least 5.8 struck the island of Crete on Monday, killing one person, injuring several others, damaging homes and churches, and causing rock slides near Greece’s fourth-largest city.

       The quake sent people fleeing into the streets in the city of Heraklion, and schools were evacuated. Repeated aftershocks rattled the area, adding to damage in villages near the epicenter.

       The Athens Geodynamic Institute said the quake struck 9:17 a.m. local time, with an epicenter 153 miles south-southeast of Athens.

       “This is not an event that occurred without warning. We have seen activity in this region for several months. This was a strong earthquake. It was not under sea but under land and affecting populated areas,” seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos said on Greek state broadcaster ERT.

       Advertisement

       The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center and the U.S. Geological Survey gave a preliminary magnitude of 6.0, with an epicenter four miles north of the village of Thrapsano. The Athens Geodynamic Institute said it was 5.8. It is common for different seismological institutes to give varying magnitudes for an earthquake in the initial hours and days after an event.

       Greece’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry said that, according to reports from local authorities, one person had been killed and a further nine people suffered injuries. More detailed circumstances of the death and injuries were not immediately available.

       California

       Welcome to Unshaken: Are you ready for a big earthquake?

       Earthquake preparedness is about communication, resilience and understanding and mitigating your risks. Our newsletter course will teach you how.

       At least nine aftershocks also struck the area, with the EMSC giving a preliminary magnitude of 4.6 for the two strongest ones.

       Residents of Heraklion rushed out into the streets. Local media in Crete reported wall collapses of old stone buildings in villages near the temblor’s epicenter on the eastern part of the island.

       “The earthquake was strong and was long in duration,” Heraklion Mayor Vassilis Lambrinos told Antenna television. “We have requested that schools be evacuated. The children are out in the playgrounds.”

       International and domestic flights to Heraklion airport weren’t affected by the quake, while the region’s hoteliers association said there was no serious damage to any hotels in the area, which includes many popular holiday resorts.