Greece's government has declared a state of emergency on Santorini following a series of undersea earthquakes that have been shaking the resort island for nearly a week. The Ministry of Civil Protection's announcement aims to provide authorities with faster access to state resources in response to the seismic activity.
The most powerful tremor, measuring magnitude 5.2, struck late Wednesday, marking the strongest recorded earthquake since the activity began on Jan. 31. Multiple emergency services, including fire departments, police, coast guard, armed forces, and emergency medical services, have been mobilized to support Santorini and surrounding islands with additional personnel and specialized equipment.
Despite causing minimal damage, the earthquake swarm has led to an exodus of thousands of residents and seasonal workers, who have evacuated to the Greek mainland by ferry. Experts have clarified that the seismic activity is not linked to volcanic activity in the Aegean Sea but are unable to predict whether it could escalate into a more powerful earthquake.
The earthquake epicenters are concentrated in a growing cluster between Santorini, Anafi, Amorgos, and Ios. The underwater location of the seismic activity is seen as a mitigating factor, reducing the potential for widespread damage compared to land-based earthquakes. Municipal crews on Santorini have cordoned off vulnerable areas prone to rock slides, while engineers have inspected school buildings that have remained closed throughout the week.
The Orthodox church on the island has called for unity and support among residents during this period of uncertainty. The Metropolitan Bishop emphasized the importance of communal solidarity in facing challenges and expressed hope for progress and resilience among the island's inhabitants.
