Emergency Declared on Santorini Due to Severe Earthquakes

On the renowned Greek tourist island of Santorini, a state of emergency has been declared following a series of powerful earthquakes that have nearly emptied the island of its tourists and residents, reports NewsBox.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2, recorded on the evening of February 5, was the strongest in a continuous series of tremors in recent days. Due to increased seismic activity, the Greek Ministry of Civil Protection has imposed a state of emergency on the island until March 3, according to CNN.

Estimates suggest that around 11,000 people have left the island, which usually attracts over 3.4 million tourists annually. Greek authorities have arranged extra flights to evacuate people to the mainland, even though strong winds on February 5 temporarily disrupted ferry services.

Santorini, situated in a seismically active region at the boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, often experiences earthquakes. However, the current intensity and duration of tremors are causing significant concern. Nearby islands Amorgos and Ios have also felt the tremors.

Though no serious damage has been reported yet, Greek authorities are taking precautionary measures in anticipation of a possible major earthquake. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged citizens to cooperate with authorities, stating that "the entire state apparatus has been mobilized."

Santorini is known for its unique geological history and the caldera formed by a massive volcanic eruption around 1600 BC. In the past few days, the island has been shaken by hundreds of tremors with magnitudes around 3.0, along with several earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 and above.

The last major earthquake in Santorini, with a magnitude of 7.5, occurred in 1956, resulting in over 50 fatalities and considerable destruction. Consequently, authorities and residents remain vigilant and prepared for potential escalation of the situation.