Earthquake Swarm Hits Greek Islands, Emergency Measures Implemented

A series of strong earthquakes, each nearing a magnitude of 5.0, rattled the regions between Amorgos and Santorini early Tuesday, following a significant 5.3 magnitude quake recorded on Monday night. The ongoing seismic activity has scientists closely monitoring the situation, but uncertainty remains regarding whether Monday night's earthquake—deemed the strongest in a series that has persisted since late January—was the primary event in the swarm.

Seismologist Efthymis Lekkas stated, "In such cases, we cannot identify a main earthquake. For an earthquake to be considered the main event, it must be at least half a magnitude stronger, around 5.5 to 5.6, than the largest tremors recorded so far."

On Tuesday morning, between 8 AM and 10 AM, Greek scientists registered tremors with magnitudes of 4.5, 3.8, 4.3, and 4.0. Shortly after 10 AM, a 4.7 magnitude quake struck, followed by another tremor of 4.8 magnitude just before 2 PM, with its epicenter located approximately 14 km south of Amorgos. The effects of these tremors have been felt as far as Athens.

Since the earthquake swarm began approximately two weeks ago, nearly 13,000 seismic incidents have been recorded. In response to the threat posed by these quakes, over 11,000 residents have evacuated Santorini and Amorgos, prompting local officials to declare a state of emergency.

In light of the situation, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security has announced emergency measures aimed at protecting jobs and supporting businesses and workers in the affected regions. Under these provisions, private sector employers in Santorini will be allowed to suspend employee contracts from February 1 to March 3, 2025, for staff hired before January 31, 2025. During this period, affected employees will receive a state compensation of 534 euros for 30 days.

Notably, all worker rights, including social security coverage, will be preserved during the contract suspension, and layoffs are strictly prohibited. Employers are required to maintain the same number of jobs for an equivalent period once the suspension concludes.

As the region grapples with these seismic challenges, officials urge residents to stay informed and to comply with evacuation orders to ensure their safety. Monitoring efforts will continue as experts assess the ongoing risks associated with this unprecedented seismic event.

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