Are Greece and Turkey safe to visit – and can I cancel my holiday?
At least two people have been killed and around 200 injured after a 6.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Greece and Turkey.
Two male tourists - a 27-year-old from Sweden and a 39-year-old from Turkey - were killed after being crushed under a collapsed ceiling at the White Corner Club on the Greek island of Kos.
Where has been affected?
Kos bore the brunt of the earthquake, which struck at 1.30am local time on Friday (10.30pm GMT on Thursday). According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre of the earthquake was seven miles off the coast of the Greek island, beneath the Aegean Sea.
Two tourists died in Kos and more than 120 others were injured on the island. Some of the injured had been trapped when buildings collapsed; many suffered broken bones, with a number in a serious condition.
In Bodrum, Turkey, around 70 people sought hospital treatment for injuries as they tried to flee the quake.
Thousands of locals and tourists spent the night outdoors on Kos, many sleeping on sunbeds along beaches and in squares. There were some 20 aftershocks throughout the night and experts have warned that more seismic activity is likely.
The Turkish city of Marmaris is also reported to have been flooded following a small tsunami caused by the earthquake.
What to do if you are there?
“If you’re in the affected area and it is safe to do so, contact your friends and family to tell them you are safe,” advises the FCO. “You should be aware of the possibility of aftershocks, and follow the advice of the local authorities and/or your tour operator.”
Will this affect my holiday?
According to Abta, Kos Airport was closed earlier this morning, but has now re-opened and is operating with some delays. The FCO claims that some ferry services have also been disrupted. “Please contact your airline, ferry company or tour operator for updates to services,” it advises.
Buildings, particularly in Kos, have suffered serious damage and it is likely that some hotels will be closed.
“Tour operators are working alongside the local authorities to assess the damage, and will make arrangements to move customers should structural damage be found to their accommodation,” said a spokesperson for Abta. “Customers imminently due to travel to this region will be contacted by their tour operator, should it be necessary to discuss changes to their holiday arrangements.”
Can I cancel my trip?
If your trip has been affected by the earthquake, then your tour operator will be contractually obliged to provide suitable alternative arrangements or offer a refund.
If you simply want to cancel your trip out of choice, it is unlikely you will be entitled to a refund unless the FCO advises against travelling to the region. Contact your tour operator, accommodation or your insurer to discuss your options.
Are quakes common in Greece and Turkey?
Only last month the island of Lesbos was hit by a 6.2-magnitude quake, which killed one woman and injured more than 10 others. Scores of homes were damaged by the quake, which was felt as far away as Istanbul.
Lefkada, Limnos and Crete have also been hit by earthquakes since 2009, though experts say the latest tremor was the strongest in decades.
Kos was struck by a devastating earthquake in 1933, which destroyed most of the island; 200 people were reported dead and a further 600 injured.
