Authorities in Greece have deployed emergency rescue teams to Santorini after a surge in seismic activity rattled the popular island, sparking fears of a major earthquake, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Over 200 undersea quakes were recorded near the island in just three days, raising alarm across the region. With tremors continuing, local officials are urging residents and tourists to stay calm and follow safety instructions.
As seismic activity increases, the Greek government has ordered schools on Santorini and nearby islands – Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios – to remain closed for the week.
Authorities are also taking precautions to minimise risks, including restricting access to certain coastal areas due to potential rockslides and warning residents of the possibility of larger tremors.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, addressing the situation from Brussels, emphasised the importance of caution while assuring the public that authorities were taking swift action.
‘We are dealing with a very intense geological phenomenon,’ Mitsotakis said, urging islanders to follow Civil Protection’s guidance. ‘We ask everyone to stay calm and listen to the authorities.’
Although experts have indicated that the quakes are not directly linked to Santorini’s active volcano, the frequency and intensity of the tremors have created growing concern.
According to the New York Times, earthquakes measuring up to 4.9 in magnitude have been felt throughout the island, and loud rumbles have echoed across Santorini. This unusual frequency of seismic events has put residents on edge.
In response, local authorities set up emergency shelters and began preparations for a potential evacuation. Rescue teams, including a 26-member crew with a rescue dog, arrived on the island to provide assistance.
Meanwhile, many locals and visitors rushed to ferry terminals, hoping to leave the island until the situation stabilises.
Some tourists, like Nadia Benomar, a Moroccan tour guide, have decided to temporarily leave the island, purchasing ferry tickets to nearby Naxos.
Others, however, like Yiannis Fragiadakis, a restaurant worker, have chosen to stay, trusting that the island will eventually return to normalcy.
The island of Santorini, famous for its stunning cliffside villages and rich history, attracts millions of tourists each year, with most arriving via ferries, flights, or cruise ships.
The island’s volcanic past, including one of the most significant eruptions in history around 1620 B.C., remains a defining feature, although the last eruption occurred in 1950.
Seismologists have been closely monitoring the situation. Gerasimos Papadopoulos, a leading Greek expert, warned that the current series of quakes could signal a larger seismic event.
‘All scenarios remain open,’ he said, noting the increasing magnitude and shifting epicentres of the tremors. Local authorities have emphasised the precautionary nature of their actions, urging the public to stay alert but not panic.
Also read:
Picture: Pexels