In brief
Authorities are mobilizing resources to ensure public safety and manage the aftermath as over 11,000 people evacuate the island amidst continued seismic activity.
A prolonged series of earthquakes has prompted the Greek government to declare a state of emergency in Santorini. The strongest tremor, registering 5.2 on the Richter scale, struck Wednesday night, sparking concerns for residents and tourists alike. This recent quake occurred at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers between Santorini and Amorgos. The state of emergency is set to last until March 3, aimed at addressing urgent needs and organizing responses to potential aftershocks.As a precautionary measure, more than 11,000 individuals—mostly locals—island workers—have already evacuated, with many taking ferries or flights to leave. The emergency situation was escalated by slight, yet worrying, seismic activity, including a 4.7 magnitude tremor recorded Thursday morning. Although no significant damage has been reported, the local government is preparing for the possibility of a more severe earthquake.Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to visit Santorini to oversee the response on Friday. Experts from the Geodynamic Institute mentioned the seismicity is accelerating, with numerous quakes above magnitude 4 logged in just a few days. "We haven't seen any signs of retreating seismic activity," stated Vasilis Karastathis, calling attention to the need for readiness against larger quakes or potential volcanic crises.Given this precarious situation, authorities have launched various measures to ensure community safety. Emergency teams including additional ambulance crews, police, and military vehicles are deployed to assist those choosing to stay. Medical personnel have arrived from nearby islands, and preparations are underway for any potential tsunami risks. Complications due to poor weather have interrupted ferry services to mainland Piraeus, but emergency routes are being arranged for travelers. Schools across Santorini and surrounding islands will remain closed until authorities decide otherwise.In the wake of these fears, the Thira Chamber of Commerce has urged businesses to suspend their operations, calling for emergency measures similar to those taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. As geological uncertainties prevail, authorities stress the importance of calm and cooperation from the community to navigate this ongoing crisis.
