British holidaymakers in Bodrum and Kos have been warned about possible aftershocks after a strong earthquake struck the Aegean Sea late last night.
The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.7, occurred off the coast between Turkey and the Greek island.
At least two people are reported to have been killed on Kos and around 200 people have been injured, with at least 120 on Kos and 70 in Turkey.
The roof of a bar on the island collapsed, and a ferry was unable to dock due to damage at the harbour, Greek police said.
A small tsunami flooded parts of the tourist strip in Kos, and large chunks of rubble covered the streets. A fishing boat was left washed up on a road.
Beachfront hotels were flooded in the Turkish city of Marmaris.
Elsewhere holidaymakers reportedly cowered for shelter and in some resorts they abandoned their rooms for safety, gathering in the street.
Two strong aftershocks followed. Hotel guests briefly went back to their rooms to collect their belongings.
But they opted to spend the night in the open air, using sheets and cushions borrowed from nearby lounge chairs to build makeshift beds, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Before and after – can’t believe the devastation, my favourite restaurant in Kos in ruins .Stay safe people and tourists of #Kos#earthquakepic.twitter.com/hJg7GBEPWE
— Havering Scot (@HaveringScot) July 21, 2017
Such was the force of the earthquake its impact was felt as far away as Rhodes and Crete.
There was also a report of a small tsunami from the European quake agency EMSC .
However, Turkish officials said large waves were more likely than a tsunami.
British student Naomi Ruddock felt the earthquake in Kos, where she is on holiday with her mother.
“We were asleep and we just felt the room shaking. The room moved. Literally everything was moving. And it kind of felt like you were on a boat and it was swaying really fast from side to side, you felt seasick.”
Many people were injured in Bodrum as they tried to escape from the earthquake.
Pictures on social media showed people in Bodrum walking with water lapping their ankles and localised flooding. About 70 people sought hospital treatment for minor injuries.
Kristian Stevens, a British tourist in Didim, 60 miles from Bodrum, told the BBC the building he was in began to “shake like a jelly”.
In updated travel advice for both resorts, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “You should be aware of the possibility of aftershocks, and follow the advice of the local authorities and/or your tour operator.”
Flights and ferry services to and from Kos are being significantly disrupted as a result of the earthquake, the FCO warned as it updated its travel advice this morning.
“Please contact your airline, ferry company or tour operator for updates to services,” the FCO said.
“If you’re in the affected area and it is safe to do so, contact your friends and family to tell them you are safe.
“You should be aware of the possibility of aftershocks, and follow the advice of the local authorities and/or your tour operator.”
Thomas Cook said: “Thomas Cook is aware of the earthquake which occurred off the coast of Turkey and Greece, and we are working hard to support all our customers and staff in resort.
“We will provide an update via our travel updates link as soon as we have further information.”
A statement from Thomson and First Choice said: “We’re aware of an earthquake which occurred off the coast of Turkey and Greece and was felt in many areas including Kos and Bodrum in Turkey.
“We are working closely with our teams in resort and the authorities to provide assistance to those affected.”