Santorini is being evacuated by a large number of people as more earthquakes strike the island

 

Authorities have warned people to leave the Old Port of Fira, a popular tourist area
source: BBC

The Greek island has experienced a fourth consecutive day of earthquakes, causing thousands of residents to flee Santorini.

The officials report that over 11,000 people have departed Santorini, with approximately 7,000 departing by ferry and 4,000 departing by air.

The island has been rocked by hundreds of earthquakes, and the strongest was a magnitude five tremor on Tuesday.

While there have been no reports of major damage on the island, officials are taking precautionary measures.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged calm despite the closure of schools and warning against large indoor gatherings by authorities.

Efthymis Lekkas, the executive director of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, stated to ERT, Greece's national broadcaster, that a magnitude six or greater earthquake is not impossible.

The island has been equipped with an extra 51 firefighters, nine vehicles, a fire department helicopter, and aerial rescuers as a precautionary measure.

The Cyclades have experienced seismic activity prompting personnel to be sent to Amorgos, Ios, Astypalaia, and Anafi.

This magnitude of earthquakes has never been seen before in our country. The frequency and magnitude are increasing, according to Vasilis Karastathis, the Director of the Geodynamic Institute of Athens.

Mr. Karastathis said on ERT radio on Wednesday morning that we cannot reassure people because things are developing in a way that concerns us.

Santorini's schools will remain shut until Friday, and the Old Port of Fira, Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos Thirassias, and other spots will not be open. Until at least Friday, schools on neighboring islands Mykonos, Leros, Syros, and Patmos will be closed by authorities.

Following a government request, Aegean Airlines added nine emergency flights to its schedule.

It has been suggested that people steer clear of abandoned buildings, take safe routes in landslip-prone areas, and steer clear of empty swimming pools.

The majority of evacuees in Santorini are local residents and workers, as it is currently low season and welcomes millions of tourists annually.

Kostas Sakavaras, a tour guide with 18 years of experience in Santorini, ended his journey with his wife and children on Monday.

As a precautionary measure, we decided to come to the mainland, he informed BBC News.

He stated that there was no falling or anything similar, saying that the noise had been the worst part. According to Mr. Sakavaras, the scariest part of it is waiting for schools to reopen.

Representatives from the government, armed forces, and emergency services gathered on Tuesday morning to discuss the situation. A meeting similar to this one will be chaired by the prime minister on Wednesday.

A large queue formed at a port early on Tuesday as residents left for the mainland
Source: BBC

Santorini can be found in what is referred to as the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, a group of islands derived from volcanoes, but the most recent significant eruption occurred in the 1950s.

According to Greek authorities, the recent tremors were caused by tectonic plate movements instead of volcanic activity.

Scientists are unable to accurately predict the timing, size, or location of earthquakes.

Governments can prepare for them by identifying areas of the world where they are more likely to occur.

The movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's crust causes earthquakes.

When these plates meet, they can lock together, which is known as a plate boundary or fault line.

Such a line can be found near Santorini and the Greek Islands.

Plates moving in different directions for extended periods of time causes energy to accumulate due to friction.

The release of energy can cause a shock wave, which can eventually lead to an earthquake.

Source: BBC