Authorities are on alert in Santorini as seismic activity raises concerns after a series of earthquakes.
Greek authorities have warned of increased seismic activity around the Aegean tourist island of Santorini, advising people to avoid four ports, empty their pools, refrain from gathering in indoor spaces, and shut schools on Monday.
More than 200 tremors have been registered since Friday between the volcanic islands of Santorini and Amorgos, the civil protection ministry said in a statement on Sunday, citing experts tasked with assessing earthquake risks and monitoring Greece’s volcanic arc.
Over 250 earthquakes occurred within 48 hours in the region between Santorini and Amorgos.
The experts, according to the ministry, have concluded that the tremors are not linked with volcanic activity and have proposed precautionary measures, including the Feb. 3 school closures, which have been extended to the islands of Amorgos, Ios, and Anafi.
They have urged people on Santorini to stay away from the small ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos, and the harbor of Fira, which serves mainly cruise ships. Many of Santorini’s ports are surrounded by sheer rock faces.
People flee Santorini as earthquake fears grow
Residents and tourists scramble to leave the Greek island on ferries and planes after a ‘barrage’ of tremors.
With authorities on heightened alert amid mounting concerns of an impending natural disaster, residents, tourists, and workers are scrambling to leave the island on ferries and planes.
The strongest tremor, a magnitude 4.7, struck Sunday at 7:45 p.m., following a 4.5 magnitude quake just four minutes earlier. Smaller aftershocks have continued in the area between Santorini and Amorgos.
