In brief
Greece is taking precautionary measures following an unusual surge of earthquakes, as more than 200 tremors have been reported near the tourist hotspot of Santorini. Authorities closed schools and readied emergency services to address potential risks.
In response to a significant number of small and moderate earthquakes, Greek officials have deployed emergency resources and closed schools on the island of Santorini. Over 200 seismic events have rattled the Aegean area, primarily between Santorini and Amorgos, within just a 48-hour period. Residents experienced tremors multiple times an hour, prompting concern.Gerasimos Papadopoulos, a noted seismologist, described the situation as an "intense pre-seismic sequence" in a Facebook post, outlining that the quakes are escalating in magnitude, with some measuring over 4.5. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, addressing the situation from an EU meeting in Brussels, urged local inhabitants to remain calm and adhere to safety directives from civil protection authorities. While the majority of tremors were minor, a few recorded magnitudes of 4.7 and 4.9, sparking unease among the populace. Fortunately, there have been no injuries reported, and the damage noted remains minimal, consisting mainly of some landslides. Greece, situated on various fault lines, frequently experiences seismic activity, but the intensity of these recent tremors is unusual.
