Athens and Attica, at 14.55 today, suffered an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter Scale. Many buildings in the northern suburbs were damaged or destroyed and 25 people have been killed. The epicentre is thought to have been 38km from Glyfada. <BR>

Buildings destroyed by a 5.9? That's not really a very big quake. What's up with that?

Please confirm my geography as I have friends traveling there--Glyfada is south of Athens center, yes? But the epicenter was north? <BR>

Monica - 5.9 is plenty big in countries with substandard building materials in common use. Lots of countries have bldg inspectors that are willing wo look the other way, for a fee. In working class neighborhoods (as Menidi is reputed to be) this is quite common. <BR> <BR>Anyhow, according to the AP, the epicenter has been targeted as between Menidi and Mt. Parnes. This is north of Athens. Reportedly, the poor folks in Izmir got to feel it, too.

I know Athens reasonably well and agree with CP's comments. I shudder at the thought of being in some parts of Athens at the onset of a 5.9 quake. <BR> <BR>The BBC this evening have been covering the situation and claim that the ancient buildings have not been affected but some of the residential and busines districts have been pretty badly damaged. <BR> <BR>I may be wrong about this but the original message from Rob appears to have come from an email Paul Hellander of Lonely Planet sent out on his mailing list this evening from his base at Glyfada. It was part of it NOT all of it and may have confused Elaine a little. <BR> <BR>Elaine, feel free to email me direct if you need further information and I'll try and help. <BR> <BR>Bill <BR> <BR>(this is my second attempt at posting this message as I got folk's names mixed up - if the original appears I send my apologies now!!)