Earthquakes in Cyprus: risk and safety actions

In brief: Cyprus lies in a seismically active part of the eastern Mediterranean, so earthquakes can occur. The exact date, place and strength of a future event cannot be reliably predicted. The practical approach is to secure hazards, identify safe places and use “Drop, Cover and Hold On” during strong shaking.

Seismicity in Cyprus

The Geological Survey Department of the Republic of Cyprus operates a seismic network and publishes current seismicity, maps and historical records. Its official Earthquakes page links to those resources and to a form for reporting a felt event.

Magnitude describes the size of an earthquake; intensity describes the observed effects at a particular place. The same event feels different depending on distance, ground, building and floor. A social-media post or a single phone app is not a substitute for the official network record.

Prepare before an earthquake

• secure tall furniture and heavy objects that could fall;
• do not place heavy items above beds or places where people sit;
• know how to shut off electricity, water or gas safely where applicable;
• keep a torch, water, medicines, charging equipment and basic supplies accessible;
• agree how family members will communicate and meet if mobile networks are busy;
• know the building’s evacuation routes, but do not plan to use a lift.

Cyprus Civil Defence publishes official alerts and preparedness material. A general public checklist is also available from the government resource Ready.gov.

During shaking indoors

1. Drop onto hands and knees so you are not knocked down.
2. Cover under a sturdy table, or protect your head and neck beside an interior wall away from glass.
3. Hold On to the shelter until the movement stops.

Do not run outside during strong shaking. Glass, cladding and objects may fall beside the facade. Do not use a lift. If you are in bed and there are no heavy hazards above it, stay there and protect your head with a pillow.

Outdoors, in a vehicle and near the coast

Outdoors, move away from buildings, balconies, power lines and other falling hazards, then stay low in an open area. In a vehicle, stop smoothly in a safe location away from bridges, tunnels, poles and wires and remain inside until strong shaking ends.

If you are near the coast and feel strong or prolonged shaking, move to higher ground or inland after the shaking stops and follow official warnings. Do not approach the sea to watch changes in the water.

After an earthquake

• expect aftershocks and take cover again if shaking resumes;
• check for injuries, fire, the smell of gas and visible damage;
• do not enter an obviously damaged building without professional clearance;
• follow official information rather than rumours;
• for urgent help call 112, the island-wide emergency number listed on the official Health & Safety page.

This page gives general safety actions and does not assess the structural safety of a particular building. That requires a competent engineer and the relevant authorities.

Prepare your home before an earthquake

Identify safe places away from windows and tall, unsecured objects. Heavy cupboards, boilers and shelves should be secured by professionals. Do not place your bed under anything that might fall. In a hotel, check the evacuation plan and the location of the staircase immediately after checking in.

Gather water, a torch, batteries, medicines, copies of important documents and a basic first-aid kit. The kit should be easily accessible but must not block a passageway. The family should have a meeting point and a contact outside the area, as the local mobile network may be overloaded.

Teach everyone the drill: get down, take cover and hold on. Practising this helps prevent people from rushing towards the stairs when the tremors start. People with reduced mobility should decide in advance how they will protect themselves where they are and who will assist them.

During tremors

If indoors, stay inside, move away from windows, cover your head and hold on to a stable support. Do not use the lift and do not run down the stairs whilst the building is shaking. A doorway is not necessarily the safest place.

Outdoors, move to an open area away from building façades, glass, poles and overhead wires. If in a car, come to a gradual stop where there are no bridges, tunnels or power lines, and remain inside until the severe shaking has ceased.

If you are near the coast after a strong or prolonged tremor, follow official warnings and, if instructed, head for higher ground. Do not linger by the water just to watch. It is best to know your evacuation route in advance.

The first few minutes after

Check for injuries, fire, the smell of gas and damage. Do not light a fire or switch on any electrical appliances if you suspect a leak. Leave the building via the stairs if it is damaged or if instructed to do so, taking only the emergency kit that is readily available.

Be prepared for aftershocks. Do not return to retrieve belongings without authorisation. Keep communication lines clear for emergencies and use messaging services. Listen to official channels and do not share unconfirmed warnings.

Help your neighbours within the limits of your training, without entering any unsafe structures. Report the address, the type of damage and the number of people involved. Only take photographs from a safe vantage point and do not obstruct the work of the emergency services.

Recovery and information checks

Once the experts have given the all-clear, check the water, gas, electricity and any structural damage. Switching utilities back on yourself can be dangerous. Report the insurance claim in accordance with the terms of your policy, keeping receipts and official reports.

Do not rely on predictions of the exact time of the next earthquake. Science assesses the danger and probability, but does not provide a reliable, day-to-day prediction of the exact time. Decisions are made based on actual reports from the emergency services and the condition of the building.

Review your family plan after the event: what services were unavailable, how communications worked, and where the emergency kit ended up. Keep your contact details and medication lists up to date. Preparation reduces the impact, but does not mean that the risk can be eliminated.

Official sources

• Geological Survey Department: Earthquakes
• Cyprus Civil Defence
• Ready.gov: earthquakes
• Visit Cyprus: emergency number 112

Information checked on 8 September 2026. The next scheduled review is no later than 7 December 2026; official warnings always take priority.