Santorini on High Alert: Precautionary Measures Amid Surge in Seismic Activity
Schools are closed and emergency crews have been deployed on the volcanic Greek island of Santorini after a spike in seismic activity raised concerns over a potentially powerful earthquake. With over 200 undersea earthquakes recorded in the area within the past three days, precautionary measures have been put in place for Santorini and several nearby Aegean Sea islands, popular summer vacation spots.
Civil Protection Minister Vasilis Kikilias stated that these measures are cautionary, urging citizens to strictly adhere to safety recommendations to minimize risk. While Greek experts have noted that the quakes, many with magnitudes over 4.5, are not linked directly to Santorini's volcano, the density of seismic activity remains a concern.
Michalis Gerontakis, director of the Santorini Philharmonic Orchestra, expressed the anxiety felt by residents, recounting experiences of frequent earthquakes occurring every 10 to 20 minutes. "Everyone is anxious even if some of us hide it not to cause panic. But everyone is worried," he said. Despite the earthquakes, Gerontakis mentioned their recent performance for a religious occasion: "When you are playing, you cannot feel the quakes, but there were earthquakes when we were at the church."
Government officials have convened to assess the ongoing situation, leading to the closure of schools on nearby islands such as Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios. On Santorini, health officials have advised residents and visitors to avoid large indoor gatherings and areas prone to rockslides. Additionally, hotels have been instructed to drain swimming pools to minimize potential damage from any future earthquake.
Fire service rescuers, who arrived on the island, have set up staging areas to assist local authorities, with some families seeking shelter in cars overnight due to fears of seismic activity. The unusual number of earthquakes has even led some residents and local workers to seek plane or ferry tickets to leave the island temporarily. Nadia Benomar, a Moroccan tour guide who has lived on Santorini for 19 years, bought a ferry ticket to the nearby island of Naxos, indicating she needed to leave until the tremors ceased.
Despite the turmoil, not all are willing to abandon the island. Restaurant worker Yiannis Fragiadakis returned to Santorini on Sunday, expressing confidence in his decision to stay: "I wasn’t afraid. I know that people are really worried and are leaving, but I plan to stay and hopefully the restaurant will start working for the holiday season in three weeks."
Santorini, known for its breathtaking views and attracting over 3 million visitors annually, is keeping a watchful eye on the growing cluster of seismic activity. Renowned Greek seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos warned that the current earthquake sequence could signal a larger event approaching, noting that the number of tremors and their intensities have increased, with shifting epicenters.
Local authorities in Santorini's main town of Fira have designated gathering points for residents in preparation for a potential evacuation, although Mayor Nikos Zorzos emphasized the need for calm. "We are obliged to make preparations, but being prepared for something does not mean it will happen," he stated. The situation is fluid, and while residents are urged to remain vigilant, officials are committed to ensuring community safety.
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