The 1978 Thessaloniki earthquake occurred on 20 June at 23:03 local time, registering 6.5 on the moment magnitude scale with severe intensity. The earthquake affected Thessaloniki and surrounding villages, causing extensive damage, killing 45 people, and injuring between 100 and 220 others. It was the largest event in the area since the 1932 Ierissos earthquake, with tremors felt throughout northern Greece, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria. The earthquake occurred along the Thessaloniki–Gerakarou Fault Zone, a major fault system extending about 20 kilometres from Gerakarou village to Thessaloniki city, and was preceded by significant foreshocks, including a magnitude 5.6 event on 23 May and a magnitude 5.2 event on 19 June. The estimated damage ranged from $250 million to $1 billion.