Thousands flee Santorini as earthquakes shake Greek island

As a series of earthquakes continue to strike the renowned Greek tourist island of Santorini, thousands of people are fleeing the island by ferry and plane, seeking safety in Athens. In recent days, hundreds of earthquakes have been recorded every few minutes in the Aegean Sea between Santorini and Amorgos, prompting authorities to close schools on Santorini and the nearby islands of Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi, with classes suspended until Friday.

The Athens Geodynamic Institute recorded a magnitude 4.9 earthquake on Santorini at 2:46 a.m. GMT (12:46 p.m. AEST) on Tuesday. Most of the island's famous white and blue villages are nestled on steep seaside cliffs. Following the earthquake, hundreds of permanent residents and workers rushed to the port, preparing to travel to the Greek capital.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, while attending a European conference in Brussels, stated, "We are dealing with a very serious geological phenomenon." He urged islanders to remain calm and follow the instructions of the civil protection authorities. Aegean Airlines of Greece said on Tuesday that flights from Santorini to Athens were fully booked. The company estimates that a total of 2,500 to 2,700 people will have left by plane since Monday until the end of the day.

Beni Ouklala, a 38-year-old resident working temporarily on the island, told Reuters, "We are preparing to leave because I am scared, the earthquakes are constant, and we have to leave for the sake of the children, so that the children can calm down." However, some expressed no concern. Eftichis Diamantopouulos, a 63-year-old tourist boat captain, said, "We will stay here, why leave? If something happens, it happens."

On Monday, mobile phones on the island sounded alarms warning of possible landslides, while several earthquakes triggered loud rumbling sounds. Authorities have also prohibited access to some coastal areas, including the island's old port near the cliffs. Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias stated late Sunday after an emergency government meeting in Athens, "These measures are preventive, and the authorities will remain vigilant. We urge citizens to strictly follow safety recommendations to minimize risks."

The frequency of the earthquakes has caused concern among residents and tourists. Michalis Gerontakis, conductor of the Santorini Philharmonic Orchestra, said, "I have never felt anything like this, and with such frequency—an earthquake every 10 or 20 minutes. Everyone is anxious, even if some of us hide it to avoid causing panic, but everyone is worried." He also mentioned that despite the earthquakes, the Philharmonic Orchestra still performed for religious events. "When you play, you don't feel the earthquake, but we did have an earthquake while we were in church. No one can know what will happen. People can say whatever they want, but it's worthless. You can't fight against nature."

During the summer, Santorini is crowded with hundreds of thousands of tourists. It is much quieter at this time of year, but with seismologists estimating that the intense seismic activity could take days or weeks to subside, local authorities have drafted an emergency accommodation plan. Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos said, "We have planned places to provide shelter for the population without buildings and on level ground, with eight locations that can accommodate people."

Emergency responders are also on the scene, while advising people to stay away from coastal areas due to the risk of landslides and to avoid indoor gatherings. Some hotels have begun emptying their swimming pools because they have been told that the load of the water can make buildings fragile, and construction activity has been halted. Greece is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe because it lies on the boundary between the African and Eurasian plates, whose constant interaction leads to frequent earthquakes. Santorini took its current shape after one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, around 1600 BC. The most recent volcanic eruption in the area occurred in 1950.