Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
London — Tourists have been leaving the Greek island of Santorini for the fourth consecutive day, following a series of earthquakes that have caused concern among visitors. Since the quakes began last week, approximately 7,000 individuals have departed the popular destination, according to reports from AFP.
While many have chosen to leave by ferry, some have opted for flights to safety.
Reports from the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre indicate that more than 1,000 earthquakes have been recorded near Santorini, with the strongest measuring up to 5.2 on the Richter scale. Most of these tremors were centered just 15 miles from the island in the Aegean Sea.
Efthimios Lekkas, the head of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, stated that the seismic activity appears to be moving away from Santorini. He cautioned on Greek national television, “This may last several days or several weeks. We are not able to predict the evolution of the sequence in time.”
The uncertainty surrounding the situation has fueled anxiety among both tourists and residents, as it remains unclear whether the frequent smaller earthquakes could foreshadow a larger earthquake.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the rising fears, acknowledging the tensions and urging calm. “I understand the fear of what it means at the moment to be on a Santorini that is constantly moving,” he remarked, encouraging adherence to official guidance.
Experts have noted that the region has not faced such vigorous seismic activity since record-keeping began in 1964. Although Santorini is built on a volcano that last erupted in 1950, a team of specialists recently indicated that the current series of earthquakes is “not linked to volcanic activity.”
“It’s different this time”
Despite some structural cracking reported in buildings, there have been no serious injuries or extensive damage. Nearby islands such as Anafi, Ios, and Amorgos also reported no casualties. As a precautionary measure, schools across these islands have been closed for the week, while Santorini has suspended public events and limited tourist arrivals.
In 2023, approximately 3.4 million tourists visited Santorini, highlighting the island’s significance as a travel destination.
Panagiotis Hatzigeorgiou, a local resident for over 30 years, has chosen to stay on the island despite offers from family members in Athens to stay with them. He expressed that while older residents often tolerate the occasional earthquake, the current frequency of tremors feels distinct and unsettling. “It’s different this time. It’s not the same to have earthquakes every two to three minutes,” he reflected. With a touch of humor, he added, “The main thing is not to worry. Now we can listen to music alone and have coffee by ourselves.”
Source
www.cbsnews.com