Once again, EAGME’s Rapid Response Team demonstrated swift action, being activated to address geological hazard-related incidents.
This time, following a request from the Organization for Natural Environment and Climate Change (OFYPEKA), a field inspection was carried out in the Samaria Gorge. The purpose was a preliminary qualitative assessment of the geological and geotechnical conditions, the re-evaluation of the engineering-geological conditions, and the associated hazards in the gorge following the 4.9 magnitude earthquake that struck south–southwest of Chania on the morning of Sunday, August 13, 2023.
As a result of the earthquake, a rockfall occurred within the gorge, leading to the serious injury of a hiker of Spanish nationality.
The inspection by EAGME was conducted by the Head of the Regional Unit of Crete, Mr. I. Michalakis, together with Mr. Antonios Barnias, Head of the Management Unit of the Samaria National Park & Protected Areas of Western Crete (OFYPEKA). Together they traversed the 14.3 km-long gorge.
EAGME’s General Director, Mr. Dionysios Goutis, stated: “Responding immediately to OFYPEKA’s request, we activated EAGME’s Rapid Response Team to carry out an engineering-geological inspection in the Samaria Gorge following the recent landslide event that resulted in the serious injury of a hiker.
As the state’s technical advisor on geohazard management and mitigation, EAGME promptly provided all necessary assessments and proposed measures to reduce landslide risk within the gorge, enabling OFYPEKA to take into account all available data regarding visitor access to the Samaria Gorge.”