Hundreds more people were expected to leave Santorini on Wednesday as the Greek island continued to experience earthquake tremors for the sixth consecutive day. Over 10,000 people have already departed via ferries and planes in recent days as seismic activity in the surrounding sea shook buildings, kicked up dust on cliffs, and raised fears of a major earthquake.
Santorini’s population increases dramatically during the summer months, with millions of tourists visiting its iconic white-painted villas on steep hillsides. However, the island’s permanent population, according to the 2021 census, is 15,000. Since this is the off-season, it is likely that several thousand residents remain on the island despite the tremors.
In response to the ongoing seismic activity, authorities have implemented various safety measures to mitigate potential risks. Construction work has been halted to prevent further vibrations and instability. Schools on Santorini, as well as on the nearby islands of Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi, have been closed. Additionally, hotels and residences have been instructed to empty their pools to reduce pressure on the ground.
Greek officials and seismologists, who met on Wednesday to assess the situation, have warned of a high risk of landslides, particularly near Athinios port, Santorini’s main gateway, which handles 1.5 million passengers annually.
Local authorities have restricted access to certain high-risk areas, while emergency responders, vessels, and helicopters remain on standby in case evacuations become necessary.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphassed that the government is fully prepared for any emergency.
“The whole state mechanism has been activated… so that we are ready for any possibility with the hope that things will get better and the phenomenon will decrease in intensity,” Mitsotakis said on Wednesday.
The tremors have also affected travel to and from Santorini. Two ferry routes between Piraeus and Santorini were canceled on Wednesday due to rough seas, although six Aegean Airlines flights, including two emergency flights, were expected to proceed as scheduled.
Despite ongoing concerns, some locals have reported a reduction in tremors. Nikos Sakorafos, a travel agency owner in the tourist village of Fira, said on Wednesday:
“It has not shaken much today, I haven’t felt anything since 04:00 (02:00 GMT).”
He also noted that, since it is currently the off-season, many residents who have lost work due to the disruptions have chosen to leave the island.
Greece is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe, as it sits at the boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, where constant interaction causes frequent seismic activity.
Santorini’s dramatic landscape was shaped by one of history’s largest volcanic eruptions, around 1600 BC. The island’s last volcanic eruption occurred in 1950, but the current tremors have reignited concerns about its seismic vulnerability.
Seismologists estimate that the high seismic activity could continue for days or even weeks. While some residents and officials have observed a slight decrease in tremors, the risk of a major earthquake or additional aftershocks remains uncertain.
For now, authorities are urging caution, ensuring emergency measures remain in place, and monitoring seismic patterns closely to determine the next course of action.
Melissa Enoch
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