Santorini, known for its stunning white-washed buildings and breathtaking sunsets, has been rocked by relentless earthquakes, sending waves of panic through residents and tourists alike.

Greece has now declared a month-long state of emergency as tremors continue to shake the island, forcing over 11,000 people to flee.

Continuous Seismic Activity Causes Alarm

Since January 31, undersea earthquakes have been recorded between Santorini and its neighboring islands—Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios.

The most powerful tremor so far, a 5.2-magnitude quake, struck on Wednesday night.

Just a day later, a 4.6-magnitude quake hit between Santorini and Amorgos at 20:16 local time, followed by another at 4.2 magnitude two hours later.

The constant shaking has left locals and visitors on edge, unsure of what might come next.

Authorities Take Action Amid Rising Fears

With fear mounting, officials have taken drastic measures.

Schools have been closed, cliff-top towns have been cordoned off, and warnings have been issued about potential landslides.

Locals have been urged to stay away from ports and avoid gathering indoors, as emergency teams—including the army, police, and fire services—have been deployed across the island.

The state of emergency will remain in effect until at least March 3, allowing Greece’s climate crisis and civil protection ministry to coordinate the response.

Fleeing the Island in Search of Safety

As tremors continue to strike minute by minute, more than 11,000 people have already left Santorini.

Some residents, fearing a larger disaster, have even taken it upon themselves to build makeshift tsunami defenses using sandbags along Monolithos beach, where buildings sit dangerously close to the water.

Travel agencies have reported a surge in requests for ferry and plane tickets, as people scramble to escape the island’s uncertainty.

Scientists Warn of a ‘Seismic Crisis’

Experts have classified the situation as a “seismic crisis,” with no clear end in sight.

While the recent tremors have not surpassed Wednesday’s 5.2-magnitude quake, authorities remain on high alert for aftershocks and landslides.

Though no injuries or major damage have been reported so far, emergency crews are bracing for the worst.

Seismologists have confirmed that the quakes are caused by tectonic plate movements rather than volcanic activity, despite Santorini being part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc.

While Greece is one of Europe’s most earthquake-prone regions, experts admit that the intensity and frequency of these tremors are unlike anything seen before—and could persist for weeks or even months.

Greek Prime Minister Calls for Calm

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to visit Santorini on Friday, reassuring residents that the government is prepared to handle the crisis.

“All emergency plans have been implemented.

Forces have been deployed to Santorini and the surrounding islands, so we are ready for any eventuality,” he stated.

Residents Struggle to Cope

For those still on the island, life has been turned upside down.

Mobile phones blare with emergency alerts warning of potential rockslides.

Several tremors have produced loud, unsettling rumbles.

Government officials have been meeting with scientists to assess the situation, leading to precautionary measures such as shutting down schools in Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios for the week.

Hotels have been instructed to drain their swimming pools to reduce structural damage risks.

Meanwhile, rescue teams have set up emergency tents next to the island’s main hospital, providing temporary shelter for those too afraid to sleep indoors.

Panic and Uncertainty Grip the Island

Many residents and workers have had enough, seeking to leave the island until the seismic activity dies down.

“We’ve had earthquakes before, but never anything like this.

This feels different,” said Nadia Benomar, a Moroccan tour guide who has lived on Santorini for 19 years.

She booked a ferry ticket to the nearby island of Naxos, hoping for some respite.

Local Michalis Gerontakis shared similar fears, admitting, “I have never felt anything like this with such frequency—an earthquake every 10 or 20 minutes.

Everyone is anxious, even if some try to hide it to avoid panic.”

What’s Next for Santorini?

Seismologists remain uncertain about what’s to come.

While the earthquakes are occurring underwater, reducing the risk of widespread destruction, experts warn that a stronger quake could still be possible.

Greek seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos has been closely monitoring the seismic activity, noting that the growing cluster of tremors between Santorini, Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi could signal a larger event ahead.

“We are still in the middle of this—we haven’t seen any signs that the activity is slowing down,” admitted seismologist Vassilis K. Karastathis of the National Observatory of Athens.

For now, those remaining on Santorini can do little but brace for the unknown as the island continues to tremble under nature’s force.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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