The Greek island of Santorini has been placed under a state of emergency following a series of over 1,400 earthquakes since February 1, with authorities implementing precautionary measures and evacuations to ensure public safety.
Since the beginning of February, Santorini has experienced a significant increase in seismic activity, recording approximately 1,440 earthquakes. Of these, around 440 were above magnitude 3, and 73 exceeded magnitude 4 on the Richter scale. The most powerful tremor, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, struck on Wednesday morning, causing heightened concern among residents and authorities.
In response to the ongoing seismic events, the Greek government declared a state of emergency for Santorini, effective until March 3. This measure aims to facilitate rapid access to state resources and enhance coordination among emergency services. Teams of engineers have been dispatched to inspect public buildings and school facilities for structural integrity. Several areas on the island have been cordoned off due to the risk of landslides, and precautionary evacuations have been carried out, with thousands of residents and workers relocating to the mainland.
Seismologists are closely monitoring the situation. Efthymios Lekkas, a leading geologist and head of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Agency (OSAP), has indicated that while the likelihood of a major earthquake exceeding magnitude 6 is diminishing, the current pattern of frequent, smaller tremors may persist for several days or weeks. Authorities continue to urge residents to remain vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines as the situation develops.
