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GREECE TREMOR SCARE

Greece earthquakes rock Brit tourist hotspot Thessaloniki with SEVEN tremors in just 24 hours

TOURIST hotspots in Greece have been rocked by at least seven earthquakes in the last 24 hours.

Locals and holidaymakers in Thessaloniki reported buildings shaking from "loud" tremors which lasted as long as six seconds.

 As many as seven earthquakes have struck Thessaloniki in the last 24 hours
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As many as seven earthquakes have struck Thessaloniki in the last 24 hours

The largest quake, a magnitude 5.1, struck near the city of Rodopolis on the Macedonian border this morning.

Despite the flurry of activity, there have been no reports of major damage to buildings or injuries to locals.

Experts have warned those in the area not to enter old buildings as they may collapse, according to the Daily Star.

They also predict more earthquakes - and potentially a very large one - will strike the area in the next 24 hours.

Giant boulder flies across car drive in terrifying video of moment 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit northern border region between Iran and Iraq
 The tourist hotspot of Thessaloniki has been hit by seven earthquakes in the last 24 hours
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The tourist hotspot of Thessaloniki has been hit by seven earthquakes in the last 24 hours
 Experts predict the country, which was rocked by floods recently, pictured, should expect more quakes in the coming days
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Experts predict the country, which was rocked by floods recently, pictured, should expect more quakes in the coming daysCredit: EPA

Italian tourist Thilanka Hitchens said the quake shook the bed and the chandeliers in the sixth floor apartment he was staying in with his girlfriend.

He told the Sun Online: "We went on the terrace to check if there was people outside who thought that it was better to be on the streets rather than staying inside.

"My girlfriend was really worried about the whole thing so we got dressed, collected our money, the passports. Everything.

"It was a bit scary but I guess that an earthquake is never a pleasant experience, especially if you are in a foreign country."

 Italian tourist Thilanka Hitchens said the earthquake shook the bed and chandelier in his sixth-floor apartment
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Italian tourist Thilanka Hitchens said the earthquake shook the bed and chandelier in his sixth-floor apartmentCredit: Thilanka Hitchens

T"From our experience we find that the earthquakes will not stop immediately," said Kostas Papazachos, Professor of Seismology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

He told local media: "There will be more activity. We are dealing mainly with East-West fault that defines Mount Beles to the south, fissures that are triggered and give us these little earthquakes."

Mr Papazachos said, based on previous events,  the "phenomenon will continue for at least one to two days".

Thousands of holidaymakers were forced to flee their hotels when two earthquakes struck the Greek island of Kos in quick succession in July.

 Thousands of holidaymakers were forced to sleep rough when two quakes shook the Greek island of Kos in July
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Thousands of holidaymakers were forced to sleep rough when two quakes shook the Greek island of Kos in JulyCredit: Rex Features

A magnitude 4.4 was followed by another just 16 minutes later - both coming days after a magnitude 6.7 rocked the island.

The quake did not appear to have caused any injuries or major damage to buildings but holidaymakers fear it could trigger another tsunami.

Tourists ran from their hotel rooms and gathered in the middle of the main square on the island’s main town, also called Kos, as far away from buildings as a possible.

Many of the 8,000 Brits on the island were seen sleeping on sun loungers after being evacuated from their hotels as a safety precaution.

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