Authorities have declared a state of emergency in Santorini following the strongest earthquake recorded in days of persistent seismic activity, which has driven out most visitors and residents from the renowned Greek tourist hotspot.
On Wednesday evening, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Santorini, marking the first time a tremor exceeded 5.0 since the series of quakes began last week.
In response to the ongoing seismic disturbances, Greece’s Civil Protection Ministry announced on Thursday that the island would remain under a state of emergency until March 3.
An estimated 11,000 people have evacuated from Santorini, an island that typically welcomes over 3.4 million tourists annually and is home to approximately 20,000 permanent residents.
To assist those wishing to leave for the mainland, Greek authorities have arranged additional flights. However, strong winds on Wednesday delayed ferry departures, temporarily hindering evacuation efforts. By Thursday, ferry services had resumed as normal.
Situated near the junction of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, Santorini is no stranger to seismic activity. However, prolonged and intense tremors of this magnitude are rare. The nearby islands of Amorgos and Ios have also been affected by the ongoing quakes.
Emergency Situation in Santorini
Although no significant damage has been reported thus far, Greek officials are implementing precautionary measures to prepare for the possibility of a larger earthquake.
“The entire state mechanism has been activated, and I urge our citizens to cooperate with the authorities,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated after convening a meeting with top officials on Wednesday.
Santorini’s distinctive landscape is the result of geological forces that have shaped the island over thousands of years. Its iconic caldera—a massive, bowl-shaped crater—was created by one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions ever recorded, occurring around 1600 BC.
Over the past several days, hundreds of tremors have struck the island at intervals of just minutes apart. Most have registered around 3.0 in magnitude, classifying them as “slight” earthquakes.
Wednesday’s 5.2-magnitude quake, considered “moderate,” was followed by at least five additional quakes measuring 4.0 or higher, which fall into the “light” category.
Santorini’s last major earthquake, a devastating 7.5-magnitude event in 1956, resulted in the deaths of at least 53 people and left more than 100 others injured.
