Santorini faces fresh tremors merely hours after Greek officials declared a state of emergency due to recent seismic activity. The UK tourist favourite is now on high alert as nearly 15,000 residents have evacuated homes since Sunday following continuous shaking.
A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck the waters between Santorini and Amorgos at 8.16pm last night, with a subsequent 4.2-magnitude shudder felt about two hours later. These follow Wednesday’s strong 5.2-magnitude quake, the most intense to strike so far.
British nationals are being cautioned against entering dilapidated structures and advised against indoor events if travelling to Santorini this month. Tourists are further encouraged to stay up to date with any alterations in travel advice from the UK Foreign Office amidst the dire circumstances.
Adding to the island’s anxiety, seismologist Akis Tselepis has indicated that the same fault line that caused massive destruction in the 1956 earthquake has reawakened.
In discussion with The Sun, Tselepis remarked: “The seismic activity is not withdrawing, on the contrary, it is gaining in momentum. The worst-case scenario is that we will again see an earthquake of the same magnitude.”
Santorini inhabitant Chryssa Pappas voiced her fears to journalists: “We’re all really scared. Our island is shaking constantly, and no one seems to know what will happen next.”
Thira Municipality of Santorini has announced that the emergency protocols will be upheld until March 3 due to recent seismic events.
In their official announcement, they stated: “A state of emergency has been decided to confront urgent needs and deal with the consequences that have arisen from the seismic activity.”
Julian Sinanaj, a 35-year-old resident, said this week: “I work on the island, I have been a resident for years. But today… nobody was expecting this to happen, what is happening now on the island is incredible.”
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to visit Santorini today. He had said: “All plans have been implemented. Forces have been moved to Santorini and the other islands so that we are ready for any eventuality.”
The iconic cliffs of the island have suffered damage from landslides, with spectators witnessing plumes of dust as debris tumbles into the ocean, as per the Mirror.
Authorities have sealed off vast areas of the island, situated in the Aegean Sea, which is relatively small compared to its larger neighbours like Crete, Evia, and Rhodes.
Since February 1, a staggering 108 earthquakes measuring more than 4.0 on the Richter scale have been recorded in Santorini — more than in the entire year of 2023. In total, more than 7,700 tremors – smaller vinrations – have shaken the region in just one week.
