Athens It is a city with a rich earthquake story but What would happen if an earthquake like the 7.7 Richter that shocked Myanmar was hit by the Greek capital? The script is nightmarish and it’s worth considering.
The first minute: chaos and panic
An earthquake of this tension would cause instant panic. Residents would run panicked on the streets, while buildings, old and new, would be violently shaken. In neighborhoods with old apartment buildings, such as Pagrati and Exarchia, there would be massive collapses.
The first losses
Old buildings in downtown Athens, neoclassical and abandoned houses, would not be able to end the blow. Ruins, rubble and dust would fill the streets. The trapped would seek help, while the first information about injured and the dead would start to flood the media.
Electricity and communications collapse
PPC would face extensive power outages, while telecommunications and internet would have damage, leaving millions of people without communication. The subway lines would have serious problems, with passengers trapped in the tunnels.
Fires and secondary disasters
Gas leaks would cause explosions and fires, especially in areas with an old infrastructure network. The flames would erupt uncontrollably in various parts of the city, as the fire forces would be overloaded.
Hospitals in an emergency mode
The Athens hospitals, already pressured by under -staffing and chronic problems, would fill in a few hours with injuries. Doctors would fight over time to save as many as they could.
Tsunami in the Saronic Gulf?
If the epicenter of the earthquake was an underwater, there would be a tsunami. Piraeus, Faliro and other coastal areas would accept a giant wave that would sweep what was on its way.
The following days: a city in ruins
Thousands of homeless, broken businesses, basic infrastructure damaged. Athens would be reminiscent of a war zone, with the government begging for international aid. The dead would exceed 1,000, and the financial costs would be estimated at billions of euros.
Are we ready?
The question that arises is relentless: if tomorrow Athens accepted an earthquake of this size, could it afford? Or would it become a ghost city in a matter of minutes?