Thousands evacuated from Santorini as earthquakes continue to shake island

Thousands of residents have fled Santorini after a fourth straight day of earthquakes struck the Greek island. More than 11,000 people have fled the island, officials said, with about 7,000 taking ferries and 4,000 taking airlifts. Hundreds of earthquakes have rocked the island, the strongest of which was a magnitude 5 quake on Tuesday, reported the BBC.

There were no immediate reports of major damage on the island, but officials are taking some precautions. While authorities have closed schools and warned against mass gatherings indoors, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has appealed for calm.

Santorini security measures

Euthymis Lekkas, head of the Earthquake Protection Organization, said an earthquake of magnitude 6 or higher could not be ruled out. An additional 51 firefighters and nine vehicles, as well as a firefighting helicopter and air rescuers, were deployed to the island as a precaution. Aegean Airlines said it had added nine emergency flights to its schedule following a government request.

Staff were also dispatched to Amorgos, Ios, Astypalaia and Anafi due to seismic activity in the Cyclades. Schools on Santorini will remain closed until Friday, and access to Ammoudi, Armenia, Korfos Thirassias and the Old Port of Fira has been suspended. Authorities on the neighboring islands of Mykonos, Leros, Syros and Patmos have also closed schools until at least Friday.

Santorini in danger

People have been asked to avoid abandoned buildings, take safe routes around landslides and empty pools. Santorini receives millions of tourists every year, but it is low season, meaning locals and workers make up the majority of those evacuated. Representatives from the government, the military and emergency services met on Tuesday morning to discuss the situation.

The prime minister will hold a similar meeting on Wednesday. Santorini is located on what is known as the Greek Volcanic Arc – a chain of islands formed by volcanoes, but the last major eruption was in the 1950s. Greek authorities have said the recent tremors were linked to the movement of tectonic plates, not volcanic activity.