Recent seismic activity in the Greek islands, particularly on the popular tourist destination of Santorini, has led to the evacuation of thousands of residents and visitors. The series of earthquakes, described as a 'seismic swarm' by Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos, has been ongoing for over a week.
According to reports, more than 200 undersea earthquakes, some reaching up to magnitude 5, have been recorded in the volcanic region since last Friday. While the tremors have caused concern, there have been no reports of injuries so far.
Mayor Zorzos expressed cautious optimism after consulting with seismologists, stating that the earthquakes could continue for weeks before gradually subsiding. He mentioned that the phenomenon might result in either small quakes or a single, slightly stronger one.
As a precautionary measure, Santorini has implemented various safety protocols, including canceling public events, restricting travel to the island, and halting construction work in certain areas. The island's population of approximately 15,500 residents has been advised to remain vigilant.
Efforts to facilitate the evacuation process are underway, with over 9,000 individuals having already left Santorini since Sunday. Additional emergency flights and ferries have been arranged to accommodate the departures.
Despite the concerns raised by the seismic activity, Efthimios Lekkas, head of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, reassured the public that the earthquakes were not linked to the region's dormant volcanoes. Lekkas noted that the epicenter of the earthquakes in the Aegean was moving away from Santorini.
While the situation remains unpredictable, Lekkas emphasized that the sequence of earthquakes could persist for several days or even weeks. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and providing updates to ensure the safety of residents and visitors in the affected areas.
