Greek Santorini Island Braces for Strong Earthquake After 200 Tremors in 3 Days
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for calm on Monday after a series of seismic tremors struck the tourist island of Santorini, causing large numbers of people to leave.
In a statement from Brussels, Mitsotakis said that authorities had been monitoring a “very severe” geological phenomenon over the past few days, adding, “I would like to ask the residents of our island, first and foremost, to remain calm,” according to the French Press Agency (AFP).
For its part, Greek authorities closed schools and deployed emergency teams to the volcanic island of Santorini today, following an increase in seismic activity, raising fears of a potentially strong earthquake. Authorities also took precautionary measures in many nearby Aegean Islands—popular summer holiday destinations—after over two hundred underwater earthquakes were recorded in the area during the past three days.
Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said late on Sunday, after an emergency government meeting in Athens: “These are precautionary measures, and authorities will remain vigilant and on alert. We urge citizens to strictly follow safety recommendations to minimize risks,” according to the Associated Press.
While Greek experts say that the earthquakes, which reached a magnitude of 4.7, are not related to the dormant Santorini volcano, they admit that the pattern of seismic activity is concerning. Rescue teams, including fire department personnel with police dogs, arrived on Sunday and set up tents in open areas.
Authorities advised residents and visitors to avoid large gatherings in enclosed spaces and issued instructions for hotels to drain swimming pools to minimize potential damage to buildings from the earthquake.
