Over 13,000 of Santorini's approximately 15,500 inhabitants have evacuated due to persistent seismic activity, raising concerns about the island’s future. Authorities have implemented safety measures amid ongoing tremors since late January.
Nonstop Earthquakes Force Residents to Flee Santorini
Nonstop Earthquakes Force Residents to Flee Santorini
Santorini faces an unprecedented exodus as continuous earthquakes rattle the island, prompting a majority of its residents to leave.
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February 2025 is proving to be a challenging month for Santorini, Greece, known for its breathtaking views and tourism that attracts millions annually. Recently, a series of earthquakes have transformed the once-bustling island into a ghost town. Since late January, residents have experienced thousands of tremors, with many occurring just minutes apart, leading to widespread anxiety among the population.
As of last week, over 13,000 of the island's 15,500 residents have chosen to evacuate, leaving streets largely empty, save for a few tourists, primarily from Asia. The seismic activity reached a peak this month when a magnitude-5.2 earthquake struck northeast of Santorini, and a magnitude-5 tremor was reported as far away as Athens.
Experts from the National Observatory of Athens have noted that so far in February, there have been 160 tremors exceeding magnitude 4, in stark contrast to the 90 such occurrences recorded throughout the entire previous year. Vassilis Karastathis, director of the Institute of Geodynamics, cautioned that predicting the continuing activity is challenging, indicating that while some stabilization may be occurring, the situation remains unpredictable.
Authorities have taken steps to ensure public safety, including closing schools and prohibiting large indoor gatherings. Emergency services have been deployed to assist, with landing crafts prepared for potential evacuations. Certain areas are off-limits due to landslide risks, and efforts have been made to reinforce vulnerable seaside properties with sandbags.
With increasing psychological distress evident among residents, the Red Cross has provided counseling, along with support from local priests leading prayers requesting the cessation of seismic events. As the earth continues to shake beneath Santorini, the fate of this iconic island hangs in the balance.
February 2025 is proving to be a challenging month for Santorini, Greece, known for its breathtaking views and tourism that attracts millions annually. Recently, a series of earthquakes have transformed the once-bustling island into a ghost town. Since late January, residents have experienced thousands of tremors, with many occurring just minutes apart, leading to widespread anxiety among the population.
As of last week, over 13,000 of the island's 15,500 residents have chosen to evacuate, leaving streets largely empty, save for a few tourists, primarily from Asia. The seismic activity reached a peak this month when a magnitude-5.2 earthquake struck northeast of Santorini, and a magnitude-5 tremor was reported as far away as Athens.
Experts from the National Observatory of Athens have noted that so far in February, there have been 160 tremors exceeding magnitude 4, in stark contrast to the 90 such occurrences recorded throughout the entire previous year. Vassilis Karastathis, director of the Institute of Geodynamics, cautioned that predicting the continuing activity is challenging, indicating that while some stabilization may be occurring, the situation remains unpredictable.
Authorities have taken steps to ensure public safety, including closing schools and prohibiting large indoor gatherings. Emergency services have been deployed to assist, with landing crafts prepared for potential evacuations. Certain areas are off-limits due to landslide risks, and efforts have been made to reinforce vulnerable seaside properties with sandbags.
With increasing psychological distress evident among residents, the Red Cross has provided counseling, along with support from local priests leading prayers requesting the cessation of seismic events. As the earth continues to shake beneath Santorini, the fate of this iconic island hangs in the balance.
