Emergency rescue teams were dispatched to Santorini, Greece on Monday as hundreds of individuals rushed to evacuate following heightened seismic activity, raising fears of a potential earthquake. Precautionary measures were implemented on four islands, with schools set to remain closed until Friday. Additional safety protocols were enacted on nearby Aegean Sea islands after more than 200 underwater earthquakes were detected in the region over the last three days. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged residents to stay calm and heed instructions from Civil Protection authorities, emphasizing the need for vigilance amidst the ongoing geological events. While experts have clarified that the earthquakes are not linked to Santorini’s volcano, the continuous seismic activity has prompted concern. Government officials, in collaboration with scientists, are closely monitoring the situation, with schools on Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios also instructed to suspend classes for the week. The frequent tremors have unsettled both locals and tourists, with some taking precautions and seeking to depart the island. Safety precautions, including avoiding large gatherings and areas prone to landslides, have been advised, while hotels have been instructed to drain pools to mitigate potential damage. Rescue teams have been deployed to assist residents, with some opting to spend the night in their vehicles. Individuals like Nadia Benomar, a long-time resident, have opted to leave temporarily to Naxos to wait for the situation to stabilize.
A line of cars and a large crowd gathered at the main port of the island on Monday afternoon, eager to catch a ferry departing Santorini. Some expressed a willingness to take the risk. Yiannis Fragiadakis, a restaurant worker, had been away but returned to Santorini on Sunday despite the earthquakes. “I wasn’t afraid,” he said. “I know people are worried and leaving. When I arrived at the port, it was very busy, reminiscent of the summer season. I plan to stay and hope the restaurant will reopen for the holiday season in three weeks.”
Tourist Soo Jin Kim from South Korea, on a family vacation, arrived on Sunday and shared her experience of feeling mild shakes multiple times, with a stronger one at midnight. She mentioned checking the news and feeling a mix of concern and curiosity about the situation but had no intention of altering her travel plans.
Santorini, known for its crescent shape and stunning landscapes, attracts over 3 million tourists annually through various modes of transportation. The island’s whitewashed villages perched on dramatic cliffs were shaped by a massive volcanic eruption over 3,500 years ago, one of the largest in history. This eruption, around 1620 B.C., devastated much of the island, covered a wide area in ash, and likely played a role in the decline of the ancient Minoan civilization.
Despite being an active volcano, the last significant eruption of Santorini occurred in 1950. Seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos warned of a current earthquake sequence in the region, indicating a potential for a larger event. While the tremors are tectonic rather than volcanic, the increased magnitude and frequency of quakes have raised concerns.
Authorities in Fira, Santorini’s main town, set up designated gathering spots in case of evacuation, emphasizing the precautionary nature of the measures. Mayor Nikos Zorzos urged residents to stay calm, acknowledging the need for readiness while cautioning against overreaction based on reports.
