Thousands told to move to higher ground after earthquake and tsunami warning

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People living in the coastal areas of Crete have been urged to move to evacuate their homes amid fears of a possible tsunami after a massive earthquake struck nearby.

A quake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale hit 37 miles (60km) offshore to the northeast of the Greek island at 1:25am local time (11:25pm UK time) on Monday (November 21) morning.

That information has been provided by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), who added that the major quake had occurred at a depth of 80 kilometres.

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A warning message, also tweeted by the EMSC, advised those next to the sea to "move away from the coast and reach a higher place".

No such message has yet been broadcast by Greek authorities.

The earthquake is reported to have been felt as far away as northern areas of Africa.

No injuries or damage to buildings has yet been reported in any of the areas affected.

Local reports say mobile phone systems in Crete were temporarily overloaded as a result of demand on the network in the immediate aftermath of the quake.

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• Breaking News
• Earthquake

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