SANTORINI, GREECE – A mass exodus is underway on the popular Greek tourist island of Santorini as hundreds of residents and visitors flee following a series of intense earthquakes that have rocked the region since Friday.
In the early hours of Tuesday, large crowds gathered at the island’s main port, eager to board ferries bound for Athens amid continued tremors.
Relentless Seismic Activity Forces Closures
The European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) recorded a 4.7-magnitude earthquake at 0653 GMT on Tuesday, further unsettling residents already shaken by days of tremors. Seismologists have detected hundreds of earthquakes occurring every few minutes in the sea between Santorini and Amorgos, an alarming frequency that has raised concerns about a potential larger seismic event.
Authorities responded swiftly, announcing the closure of schools on Santorini and the nearby islands of Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi until at least Friday.
“Everything is closed. No one works now. The whole island has emptied,” said Dori, an 18-year-old resident, who was among those boarding a ferry to Athens.
“We will go to Athens until we see how things develop here.”
More departures are expected throughout the week, with additional flights scheduled to evacuate those seeking safety.
Safety Precautions Amid Fears of Landslides
Greek authorities and seismologists have issued warnings urging people to:
- Avoid coastal areas due to the risk of landslides.
- Stay outdoors and refrain from gathering indoors where structures could collapse.
As a precautionary measure, hotels have started draining their swimming pools to reduce water weight and lessen the strain on buildings.
Santorini’s Volcanic Past and Seismic Risks
Greece is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe, sitting at the boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. The constant interaction between these plates results in frequent seismic activity.
Santorini’s distinctive caldera—famous for its white-washed villages perched on steep cliffs—was formed following one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, which occurred around 1600 BC.
The last volcanic eruption in the region took place in 1950, and while there are currently no signs of volcanic activity, the intense seismic swarms have experts on high alert.
Uncertainty Looms Over Santorini’s Future
Seismologists remain cautious, indicating that the ongoing seismic activity could last for days or even weeks.
For now, residents and tourists alike are watching anxiously, waiting to see whether the tremors subside or foreshadow a more significant seismic event.
With businesses shuttered and uncertainty looming, Santorini—usually a thriving tourist paradise—is now eerily quiet, as its people seek safety far from its once-idyllic shores.
