State of emergency declared for Santorini after quakes

A state of emergency has been declared on the picturesque Greek island of Santorini following a series of earthquakes that have raised concerns among residents and tourists alike. The government has taken this step to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on the island. The most significant earthquake recorded was a magnitude 5. 2 tremor that struck on Wednesday evening, located between Santorini and the nearby island of Amorgos. This earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 5 kilometers, making it the strongest tremor in recent days. The emergency declaration will remain in effect until March 3, allowing officials to address the urgent needs of the community and manage the aftermath of these seismic events. As a result of the ongoing tremors, over 11,000 individuals have already evacuated Santorini, with around 7,000 leaving by ferry and 4,000 by air. On Thursday morning, another earthquake measuring 4. 7 was recorded southwest of Amorgos, following a series of 57 smaller tremors that occurred between midnight and 6:30 AM. Fortunately, no major damage has been reported on the island thus far, but authorities are taking precautionary measures and preparing for the possibility of a larger earthquake in the near future. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to visit Santorini on Friday to assess the situation and provide support. Vasilis Karastathis, the director of the Geodynamic Institute, stated that 'seismicity continues at the same pace as in previous days, intense. ' He noted that there is a high frequency of earthquakes with magnitudes above 4, but emphasized that it is too early to determine if the sequence of tremors is coming to an end. Santorini is known for its stunning beauty and attracts millions of tourists each year, but currently, it is the low season, meaning that most of those leaving are local residents and workers. Due to poor weather conditions, the ferry service from Santorini to Piraeus port near Athens has been suspended, and these adverse conditions are expected to persist in the coming days. Many travelers are waiting at Santorini's port to board emergency ferry routes that have been established to assist families wishing to leave the island. Schools on Santorini, as well as on neighboring islands such as Anafi, Paros, Naxos, and Mykonos, will remain closed until Friday, when authorities will decide when they can safely reopen. The island has been reinforced with additional firefighters and medical personnel from Naxos, and all hospital staff are on standby to assist those who have chosen to stay on the island, with all leave and days off canceled. Ambulance units have also arrived to bolster the island's emergency services, and assistance from the armed forces is anticipated. According to the health ministry's plan, if there is an urgent need for medical personnel, doctors and nurses will be dispatched from other islands, and if the situation escalates, additional medical staff from Athens will be sent to Santorini. A backup telecommunications station is being set up at Santorini City Hall to be activated in the event of a major earthquake and subsequent communication issues. Vassilis Kikilias, the Minister of Climate and Civil Protection, announced that specialized teams trained in disaster response are being sent to Santorini, along with search and rescue dogs and a mobile operations center. Helicopters are also on standby to assist in any emergency situations. Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed optimism during a meeting with civil protection experts, stating, 'First and foremost, the state trusts science and scientists. We have done this in other crises. ' He assured that all necessary plans have been implemented and that resources have been mobilized to Santorini and the surrounding islands to prepare for any potential emergencies. Mitsotakis concluded his remarks by urging the islanders to 'Stay calm and cooperate with the authorities. ' He acknowledged the fear that comes with living on an island that is experiencing frequent tremors, but reassured everyone that the situation is being monitored closely on a daily basis. The Thira Chamber of Commerce had previously requested the declaration of a state of emergency, calling for the suspension of business activities on the island and the implementation of emergency support measures similar to those enacted during the Covid-19 pandemic. They expressed concern about the severe impact on the local economy, stating that businesses are losing customers and revenue as the island becomes increasingly deserted. By yesterday, 11,000 permanent residents had already left, and this number is expected to rise to 14,000 by the end of the week. Santorini is situated on the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, a chain of islands formed by volcanic activity, but the last significant eruption occurred in the 1950s. Greek authorities have clarified that the recent earthquakes are related to tectonic plate movements rather than volcanic activity. While scientists cannot predict the exact timing, size, or location of earthquakes, they are aware that certain regions are more prone to seismic activity, which aids governments in their preparedness efforts. Earthquakes occur due to the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's crust, and sometimes these plates become locked together at their boundaries, known as fault lines. Santorini and the surrounding Greek islands are located near such a fault line.