Greece's top tourist island Santorini shaken by earthquakes; schools closed as evacuations underway
PTC Web Desk: The Greek island of Santorini remains on high alert as earthquake tremors persist for the fourth consecutive day, prompting the authorities to close schools and arrange additional flights to facilitate evacuations. The seismic activity, which began on Friday, has led to widespread concern among residents and tourists alike, though no major damage has been reported so far.
The authorities have temporarily shut down schools in Santorini, as well as on the neighbouring islands of Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi, as a precautionary measure. Disaster response teams have been deployed to assist residents, with officials advising people to stay away from enclosed spaces and small ports.
On Monday, tremors struck Santorini every few minutes, with some quakes registering above 4.0 in magnitude. In response, local officials have designated gathering points for residents in the island’s main town of Fira as part of evacuation preparedness. Tents have also been set up in case shelter is required.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking from Brussels, urged the public to remain calm as experts monitor the evolving geological situation. “We are dealing with a very intense seismic phenomenon, but there is no immediate cause for panic,” he assured.
As the tremors persist, many tourists and seasonal workers have started leaving Santorini. In response, Aegean Airlines has scheduled three additional flights on Monday and Tuesday, following a request from Greece’s Civil Protection Ministry, to help residents and visitors travel safely.
Meanwhile, special search and rescue teams have been stationed on the island, and the earthquake-prone neighbouring island of Amorgos remains under surveillance.
Over 200 undersea earthquakes recorded
Seismologists have detected more than 200 undersea earthquakes in the region over the past three days, leading experts to predict continued seismic activity for several weeks. Experts say tremors could persist in the coming days as the geological activity stabilises.
Despite the frequent shocks, no significant structural damage has been reported so far. Local officials noted that Santorini’s permanent residents, accustomed to seismic activity, have remained relatively unfazed. However, concerns among visitors have led to increased departures.
Notably, Santorini is part of a seismically active region located along multiple fault lines. The island itself was shaped by one of history’s most powerful volcanic eruptions around 1600 BC, which dramatically altered its landscape. The last volcanic eruption in Santorini occurred in 1950.
Greece experiences frequent earthquakes, with a notable 6.3-magnitude quake striking Crete in 2021. While the current tremors have not exceeded a magnitude of 5.0, the authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
- With inputs from agencies