The Great Ionian Earthquake of 1953

A terrible week in Ionian history
This weekend is a sombre one in the history of the island of Zakynthos, when the island was shaken by one of the worst earthquakes the area ever experienced. This event was actually a series of earthquakes that began on the 8 August 1953, building up to a large earthquake on the 12 August 1953 that caused a lot of damage, and sadly a number of deaths. As well as the main earthquakes there were hundreds of tremors and aftershocks that affected the island and left a devastating trail of destruction in its wake.
 
The episode, now called the Great Ionian Earthquake, began on the 08 August 1953 when several tremors disturbed the island. Zakynthos was then hit by a large earthquake on 9 August 1953 that damaged many buildings, especially on the eastern side in Zakynthos Town. Shaken but unhurt, islanders dusted themselves down and continued, clearing up the damage that had occurred, whilst trying to get back to normal, albeit through aftershocks and mild uncertainty. 
 
Two days later on the 11 August 1953 another large earthquake hit the island, damaging more buildings, making many of them collapse, rendering them uninhabitable. Islanders tried their best to carry on, but it was hard for them, as the previous few days had been full of tense worry. The tremors had continued to be felt and there was a lot of damage, some of which was now unrepairable. Little did the Zakynthians know that the worst was yet to come, and it wasn’t long before both Zakynthos and Kefalonia were dealt a devastatingly hard blow.
 
At 11.23 am, the following morning – the 12 August, 1953 – a magnitude 7.2 earthquake rattled the entire area. It jolted both Zakynthos and Kefalonia, not only destroying the majority of what had been left standing from the previous few days seismic activity, but the earthquake and damage was swiftly followed by raging fires. Although most of the island felt the earthquake and endured some damage, the Eastern side of the island, most notably Zakynthos Town was hit the hardest. Panicked, and fleeing falling buildings, many Zakynthians in the main streets of Zakynthos Town became trapped, and around eighty people died; hundreds more were injured. Much of the town, that wasn’t already badly damaged, was razed to the ground leaving only three buildings standing – the Church of St Dionysius, the National Bank and a school in the Ammos area. Disaster had struck and many Zakynthian people found themselves homeless, hungry, and scared.
Help comes from afar

Whilst islanders tried to come to terms with what had happened, help swiftly made its way to the island. HMS Bermuda and HMS Gambia were the first to arrive on the scene and four Israeli ships weren’t far behind, making their way to Kefalonia to assist the neighbouring island, who had been affected just as badly. As the ships docked in Zakynthos Town, Zakynthians were given food, water, and medical treatment. Tents were set up in Solomos Square to help those who were dispossessed, and the Royal Navy crew pitched in wherever they were needed. Some stretchered the wounded, others dug through rubble to rescue those who were missing or to help find much treasured possessions, others helped distraught islanders find loved ones they had been separated from.

An archaeologist who was staying on the island with family at the time, noted that the School in the Ammos area was used to house any rescued icons, statues and other historical items that had been retrieved from damaged or destroyed buildings. These items were important to the islanders and many locals as well as the school teachers pitched in to help save as much as they could. The archaeologist helped with the inventory and it’s down to the hard work of those who saved them that these precious items are still with us today. Sadly however, the library in Zakynthos Town that housed many great papers and historical texts, including information from WW2, was burned to the ground and all the contents were lost.

An island rebuilds
Over time, Zakynthos Town was cleared, new homes and businesses were built and injures healed. Sadly, much was lost though, and families grieved for loved ones, but the island did rebuild and live on. No one can ever begin to imagine what Zakynthos or Kefalonia went through during that week, as the island was struck by so many earthquakes. To lose so many people, buildings and possessions hit the island hard, and it’s a time that still lives in the minds of those who went through it, but the strength and determination of the Greek people showed itself and helped them through this awful time.
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Today, we not only remember what happened in August 1953, but we also thank the incredible bravery of those who came to Zakynthos’ rescue and helped the island when it was needed the most. Most of all though, we remember those who tragically lost their lives. They can never be replaced but neither will they be forgotten, and we keep the survivors in our thoughts, as they endure a loss they carry with them daily. The Great Ionian Earthquake may have tried to bring the island to its knees, but the island survived. Zakynthos was rebuilt and flourished once more and will continue to do so. The buildings in Zakynthos Town were re-built, learning from the past, making them stronger and to earthquake code, ensuring they are able to withstand this kind of event if it were ever to happen again.