Multiple earthquakes have continued to occur in the waters surrounding the Greek island of Santorini shortly after local authorities declared a state of emergency. The prominent tourist destination has been experiencing seismic disturbances throughout the week, with numerous earthquakes reported since Sunday.
On Thursday evening, a 4.6 magnitude quake struck at 20:16 local time between Santorini and the island of Amorgos, followed by a 4.2 magnitude quake approximately two hours later. Concerns about potential looting have prompted Santorini residents to initiate night patrols as the island remains largely deserted, with over 11,000 individuals evacuating due to the ongoing earthquake activity.
Although no injuries or significant damages have been reported so far, authorities are on high alert, preparing for the possibility of a more powerful quake. The state of emergency for Santorini, scheduled until 3 March, underscores the uncertainty surrounding the duration of this "seismic crisis," which experts suggest could persist for weeks.
Dr. Athanassios Ganas, from the National Observatory of Athens, has described the situation as unprecedented, emphasizing the unusual clusters of earthquakes on the island. The perplexing pattern of seismic activity, devoid of a prominent main shock, has sparked fears among residents of a potential tsunami, prompting makeshift defenses along Monolithos beach.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, set to visit Santorini, has assured the public of preparedness and urged cooperation with authorities. Despite being part of a volcanic chain, the recent tremors are attributed to tectonic shifts, with experts emphasizing the unpredictability of earthquakes in terms of timing, magnitude, and location.