Thousands of residents are evacuating the Greek island of Santorini due to increased seismic activity.
Approximately 6,000 individuals have departed the island via ferry since Sunday, with emergency flights planned to leave on Tuesday. Over 300 earthquakes have been recorded near the island in the last 48 hours, leading experts to anticipate ongoing tremors for weeks. Authorities have closed schools for the entire week and cautioned against large indoor gatherings, while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has advised the public to remain calm.
Notably, Santorini, renowned for its whitewashed buildings, is primarily seeing locals leave, as it is currently outside peak tourist season. Several tremors, including one measuring up to magnitude 4.7, were detected northeast of Santorini early Tuesday. Precautionary measures are being implemented, despite no significant damage being reported thus far.
A significant number of people queued at a port in the early hours of Tuesday to board ferries bound for the mainland. An 18-year-old local resident expressed, Everything is closed. No-one works now. The whole island has emptied, before boarding a vessel.
In addition to the 6,000 people who have departed by ferry, around 2,500 to 2,700 passengers are expected to have flown from Santorini to Athens via plane on Monday and Tuesday, as per Aegean Airlines.
Mayor Nikos Zorzos affirmed Santorini's readiness to face prolonging seismic activity, emphasizing the importance of patience and calm. Plans are in place to construct shelters and provide food in case of escalating tremors.
The recent earthquakes are linked to tectonic plate movements rather than volcanic activity. Emergency services are advising residents to vacate landslide-prone areas, and rescue crews are on standby with medical tents. Scientists stress the unpredictable nature of earthquakes, calling for preemptive measures to bolster public safety in vulnerable regions.
As Santorini lies near a fault line, seismic events in the area are not uncommon. While scientists are unable to forecast such occurrences, governments can minimize risks by fortifying infrastructure and executing swift evacuations during seismic events.