Are flights to Crete cancelled today? Latest updates on arrivals and departures at Heraklion Airport after earthquake hits Greek holiday island

The quake, with a depth of 62.5 kilometres, according to the Geodynamic Institute of Athens, was strongly felt in Crete and Rhodes. Efthymios Lekkas, president of Greece's Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation, told Greece's public broadcaster: "The main characteristic of this strong tremor is that its focal depth was at 60 kilometres.

"This means the seismic waves reached Kasos and Karpathos significantly weakened - and even more so in Crete - resulting, according to initial data and the first accounts from residents, in no reported impacts so far, although of course we do not yet have a complete picture." He added: "It was strongly felt across Crete, as well as in Rhodes, Kos and throughout the southeastern Aegean."

Shortly after the quake, people in Rhodes, Karapathos and Kasos were sent an emergency alert about "a potential tsunami risk", the broadcaster reported. The epicentre of the earthquake was the tiny Aegean island of Kasos, according to the Geodynamic Institute of Athens.

More than 624,000 people reside in Crete, with around a third of the island's population living in the capital, Heraklion. The region lies in one of the most seismically active zones in Europe, where the African and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.

According to FlightRadar24 and Heraklion Airport’s website flights have not been affected today (Wednesday 14 May). One departing flight to Luton Airport at 14:55 is slightly delayed but all other flights seem to be on time. It is advised to keep checking the airport’s website and enquire with your airline regarding the status of your flight.

It comes after the idyllic Greek island of Santorini was plunged into a state of emergency in February as a total of 7,700 tremors shook the isle in two weeks. Around 7,700 earthquakes have shaken the Santorini-Amorgos seismic zone since January 26.