According to preliminary data from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the quake measured 5.3 on the Richter scale, with the epicentre located 22 kilometres northeast of Paphos.
Seismologist Efthymios Lekkas reassures after first strong Cyprus quake: ‘It was the main shock’
Speaking to CNN Greece following Wednesday’s first strong earthquake in Cyprus, seismologist Efthymios Lekkas appeared reassuring, saying there is no indication of stronger aftershocks to come.
Lekkas explained that the quake’s epicentre was located directly beneath the city of Paphos, which is why “it was so violent” and felt so strongly across the island.
He estimated that this was the main earthquake and that no larger tremors are expected, noting that aftershocks recorded so far have reached up to 4.0 on the Richter scale.
Lekkas added that the tremor originated from a known fault line and therefore did not take seismologists by surprise.
What is known so far
According to available data, the earthquake measured 5.4 on the Richter scale, had a focal depth of 12 kilometres, and its epicentre was located about 20 kilometres northeast of Paphos.
Sequence of aftershocks
As noted by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the epicentral area covered parts of Paphos and Limassol, specifically about 50 kilometres west of Limassol and 18 kilometres north of Paphos,at a depth of 21.2 kilometres.
Several aftershocks followed within minutes, measuring magnitudes of 3.5, 3.6 and 4.7 on the Richter scale.
The second tremor was felt across the island, particularly in the districts of Paphos, Limassol and Nicosia.
#Earthquake (#σεισμός) possibly felt 19 sec ago in #Cyprus. Felt it? Tell us via:
— EMSC (@LastQuake) November 12, 2025
📱https://t.co/QMSpuj6Z2H
🌐https://t.co/AXvOM7I4Th
🖥https://t.co/wPtMW5ND1t
⚠ Automatic crowdsourced detection, not seismically verified yet. More info soon! pic.twitter.com/dgTIt2v7ix