In brief
More than 11,000 residents have evacuated while experts assess ongoing seismic threats.
As the picturesque island of Santorini grapples with a series of significant earthquakes, residents and officials alike find themselves in a state of unease. Just hours after local authorities declared a state of emergency, the region faced multiple seismic events, culminating in a 4.6 magnitude quake occurring in the evening at 20:16 local time (18:00 GMT). This latest tremor struck the sea between Santorini and Amorgos, shortly after a preceding 4.2 magnitude quake rattled the area two hours earlier.Since Friday, thousands of earthquakes have been registered, leading to the evacuation of more than 11,000 people who have fled the island amid the ongoing tremors that continue to occur at alarming intervals. Experts monitoring the situation have raised concerns about when this "seismic crisis" might conclude, contributing to the anxiety of both residents and tourists.While authorities emphasize that Thursday’s earthquakes have not equated to the magnitude of Wednesday’s 5.2 tremor, which is classified as moderate, the threat of a more intense quake looms large. Preparations are underway to safeguard residents and visitors against potential larger quakes, as no significant damage has yet been reported. Earthquake magnitude is assessed on a scale, where a 6.0 and above is deemed severe and potentially catastrophic. As Santorini remains on edge, the focus remains on monitoring the seismic activity closely and ensuring the safety of those affected.
