Greece Declares State of Emergency as Earthquakes Shake Aegean Islands

Authorities in Greece have declared a state of emergency on the island of Amorgos after a series of powerful earthquakes rattled the southeastern Aegean Sea region. This follows a similar measure taken on February 7 for the nearby island of Santorini, as the tremors, which have been unusually frequent and strong, continue to cause alarm.

The epicenter of these earthquakes has been located in an undersea area near the islands of Amorgos, Santorini, Ios, and Anafi—all popular tourist destinations in the region. Since January 26, over 12,000 tremors with magnitudes greater than 1 have been recorded, with many of them reaching around magnitude 5. While scientists initially hoped that the seismic activity might subside, the ongoing series of quakes, particularly as they appear to be drifting northward towards Amorgos, have prompted heightened concern.

The emergency declarations will help facilitate the swift deployment of resources and emergency services. In addition to the emergency teams on Amorgos, significant efforts have been made on Santorini, where fire departments, police, the coast guard, and armed forces have mobilized to assist affected residents. Thousands of residents and seasonal workers have already evacuated the island for safety.

While Greece is no stranger to earthquakes due to its location in a seismically active zone, the intensity and duration of this particular series of earthquakes are unprecedented in recent history, raising questions about the potential risks for the islands and their inhabitants. Nearby countries, including Israel, are also closely watching the situation in case assistance will need to be rendered to Greece and also in case the earthquakes cause tsunamis or volcanic eruptions which could affect the entire eastern Mediterranean region.