Heraklion: Unexplained cracks in the dives – geologists go to the village

The inhabitants of Voutes of Heraklion in Crete are particularly anxious, as rifts have appeared in the area in recent days, cutting in the two houses, roads and other infrastructure in the village. Phenomenon they cannot explain, as they say no one has been noted earthquake.

The land opened in two and even to two different rifts on a long length of the village heading to the south.

Based on the first estimates, the cracks that have appeared on roads, in houses, the village church and other infrastructure may be due to extensive soil sedimentation, which occupy a length of at least 150 meters – Efthimi Lekkas will go to the area –

« There are cracks, situations while there are houses that have been cut in the two interior walls, » local community president Charalambos Alogdianakis told Cretalive.

Cracks have been detected in at least 10 village houses

The phenomenon is ongoing with residents reporting that the faults are growing, while the Municipality of Heraklion calls for the village to be declared an emergency.

‘To declare the village in a state of emergency’

Geologists from Athens are expected to go to the village, broadcasts Creta24.gr, while Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalirinos, who was found earlier on the morning of Sunday, April 27, in the village, proceeding with a first autopsy on a request to declare a statement.

K. Kalokerinos He had contacted the president of the Anti -Seismic Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), Professor Efthimi Lekka, who, as announced by the Municipal Authority, is expected in Heraklion at night, so that early in the morning tomorrow he will carry out an autopsy in the area.

According to the Mayor of Heraklion, based on the first estimates, the cracks that have appeared on roads, in houses, the village church and other infrastructure may be due to extensive sedimentation of the soil, which occupies at least 150 meters in length, causing at least 10 houses.

The phenomenon is in progress, for this reason, and therefore, the technical service of the Heraklion Technical Service will be in the area on the morning of Monday, April 28, and according to Mr. Summeros, the descent of special geologists from Athens is expected.

The land opened in douns

Cracks over long length of the village

In detail the mayor said:

« We are all worried about the phenomenon of cracking. They may be due to the sedimentation of the soil that is quite extensive in at least 150 meters in length and occupying at least 10 houses that have appeared. The phenomenon of the first findings is ongoing and we must address the situation immediately. To this end we will seek to declare the village in an emergency. We are in close cooperation with the Region, the immediate pursuit is to make an geological and geotechnical assessment that should proceed immediately. This will help to declare an emergency, that is, all processes to move forward very quickly. And of course we will proceed with an immediate assessment of the condition of possible risk in homes. A technical service engineer is formed, which will be in the area tomorrow morning to make the first assessment. In any case, it is a high priority issue, which will concern us, so that any danger to the village is silenced and to eliminate the reasonable concern that has aroused to all of us. A specialized study will be needed and scholars will have to come from Athens and that also means the central government’s help. We are currently addressing both the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Civil Protection. « 

Mayor’s autopsy

‘We don’t feel safe’

The inhabitants of the village do not feel safe and many are thinking of leaving their homes, as they have already seen the early weeks in the early weeks, which they say are growing.

« Other houses, like the Church, have cracks. You press and you see the tiles that they’ve got up. We don’t feel safe. I have sent one child to my mother -in -law and the other to my mother. Now I’m thinking about going to stay, « a resident of the area tells Creta24.

« We don’t feel safe the residents say »

« We went to the festival of St. George and when we came back, then all the priest of the village discovered that the church courtyard and the alleys had opened, » says one woman who even added that everyday, residents discover new cracks in their homes.