Greece Closes Popular Mountain Gorge in Crete After an Earthquake Triggers a Dangerous Rockslide

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Authorities on the Greek island of Crete have ordered the momentary closure of mountain gorges common with hikers after an earthquake triggered a rockslide and significantly injured a Spanish vacationer.

The closure of the Samaria gorge in southwest Crete — together with a number of others within the White Mountain vary — was ordered Monday, a day after the area was rattled by a magnitude 4.9 quake.

The tremblor triggered the evacuation of greater than 600 individuals Sunday alongside the 16-kilometer (10-mile) Samaria mountaineering path.

A forty five-year-old Spanish hiker was transported by helicopter to a state hospital within the port metropolis of Chania, the place he stays in important situation after a part of his proper leg was amputated, medical doctors stated.

Regional authorities authorities, primarily based in Chania, have been attributable to determine later Monday whether or not the closure could be prolonged by way of Wednesday, a public vacation.

A part of a nature reserve, the Samaria Gorge is open to guests for six months yearly, beginning in Could, and is closed throughout dangerous climate.

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