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Santorini, a renowned and cherished tourist hotspot, is currently dealing with a relentless series of earthquakes that have sparked widespread fear and chaos.
Hundreds of people were seen at the port in Santorini.
Santorini, a popular and beloved tourist destination, is currently grappling with a series of continuous earthquakes that have caused widespread panic and disruption. The island is facing a major seismic crisis, with tremors shaking the area relentlessly. In response to the ongoing tremors, approximately 6,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, seeking refuge on the mainland for their safety in the past few days. This ongoing disaster has left the island in a state of uncertainty as people continue to flee in search of secure ground.
Following a 4.9-magnitude earthquake over the weekend, the latest tremor, measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale, struck early on Tuesday morning. Then, on Thursday evening, a 4.6-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the waters between Santorini and the island of Amorgos. About two hours later, a 4.2-magnitude tremor followed. These quakes are part of the broader seismic activity in the Aegean Sea. In just three days, over 550 tremors, with magnitudes around 3.0, have been reported in the region between Santorini and nearby islands, including Amorgos and Ios.
Santorini, a popular tourist destination famous for its stunning landscapes and picturesque views, is home to a population of 20,000. Despite its small population, the island attracts around 3.4 million visitors annually. Due to the ongoing tremors and the growing concern among residents, many locals have decided to leave the island in search of safety.
On Tuesday, hundreds of people were seen at the port in Santorini, waiting for ships to Athens, clutching their belongings. Greek officials, including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, urged citizens to remain calm and cautious. Mitsotakis, as reported by the Times of India, warned that there could be more seismic activity in the coming days or weeks, describing the situation as a “very intense geological phenomenon.” To assist with the evacuation, schools have been closed until Friday, and an additional 15 flights between Santorini and Athens were arranged for Tuesday.
The island, located on the boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, is famous for its caldera, a vast crater created by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. While earthquakes are common in the area, the current series of tremors stands out due to its frequency and intensity. The most significant earthquake in recent history was a devastating 7.5-magnitude tremor in 1956, which resulted in at least 53 fatalities.
Locals have reported that “the entire island has emptied,” as businesses remain shut and the island is largely deserted. Both authorities and residents are hoping for a return to stability, but the future of Santorini as a prime tourist destination remains uncertain as the crisis continues.
