Hundreds of earthquakes near Santorini trigger mass evacuations. Tourists and residents flee the island for safety in Athens. Schools closed, coastal areas restricted, and emergency plans activated.
The renowned Greek tourist island of Santorini is grappling with an alarming situation as hundreds of underwater earthquakes have rattled its shores recently. This seismic activity has prompted a mass exodus of tourists and residents, with many seeking refuge on ferries and planes. Thousands have fled Santorini , aiming for safety in Athens, as the Aegean Sea between Santorini and Amorgos has become a hive of tremors, with hundreds of quakes recorded every few minutes.
Authorities have taken swift action, closing schools on Santorini and neighboring islands like Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi until Friday.A magnitude 4.9 earthquake, recorded by the Athens Geodynamic Institute at 2:46 am GMT on Tuesday, shook the island, known for its picturesque white and blue villages perched atop steep cliffs overlooking the sea. Crowds of people were seen lining up at Santorini's port, desperate to board ferries departing for Athens. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, addressing the situation from Brussels where he was attending a European meeting, urged calm and urged islanders to heed the instructions of the Civil Protection authority.The Greek air carrier, Aegean Airlines, reported that all flights out of Santorini to Athens were fully booked. An estimated 2,500 to 2,700 people were expected to have departed by the end of Tuesday. While some residents, like 38-year-old Beni Ouklala, were driven to leave due to fear of the relentless tremors, others, such as 63-year-old Eftichis Diamantopoulos, a tourist boat captain, remained unconcerned, choosing to stay put despite the warnings.Emergency and rescue personnel have been deployed to the island, coordinating alerts and quake responses, with many sleeping in tents due to the ongoing situation. On Monday, mobile phone alert warnings sounded across the island, cautioning residents about the potential for rockslides. Authorities also implemented restrictions on access to certain coastal areas, including the island's old port, which are situated near vulnerable cliffs. Civil Protection Minister Vasilis Kikilias reassured the public that these precautionary measures were in place, and authorities were closely monitoring the situation. The intensity of the seismic activity has raised concerns among both residents and visitors alike. Michalis Gerontakis, director of the Santorini Philharmonic Orchestra, shared his experience, stating that he had never felt such frequent earthquakes in his life. Despite the tremors, the orchestra managed to perform for a religious occasion, showcasing the resilience of the islanders. While Santorini draws hundreds of thousands of tourists during the summer months, it is considerably quieter at this time of year. However, with seismologists predicting that the intense seismic activity could persist for days or weeks, local authorities have formulated an emergency accommodation plan to ensure the safety of those remaining on the island. Mayor Nikos Zorzos revealed that eight designated shelters can accommodate those who lack permanent housing or reside on elevated ground.Santorini's inhabitants are grappling with the uncertainty and fear associated with the ongoing earthquakes. Emergency rescue crews stand ready, while residents are urged to avoid coastal areas due to the increased risk of landslides and refrain from attending indoor gatherings. Some hotels have emptied their pools as a precaution against potential water damage, and construction activities have been suspended.Greece, situated at the boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, is known to be one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe. The constant interaction between these tectonic plates often leads to frequent seismic events
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