Intense Earthquake Swarm Shakes Santorini, Greece: State of Emergency Declared

In an alarming series of seismic events, scientists have detected thousands of earthquakes near the volcanic island of Santorini, Greece, over the past two weeks. While the majority of these quakes have been of small magnitude, with tremors ranging from 3 to 5 on the Richter scale, the University of Athens’ crisis management committee warns that a larger earthquake cannot be ruled out.

The swarm of quakes, which began in late January, has caught the attention of local authorities. As a result, a state of emergency has been declared on Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations. Authorities have deployed rescue teams, including drones, sniffer dogs, and have placed the coast guard and navy on standby.

Thousands of residents and tourists have evacuated the island, and schools on Santorini and nearby islands have been ordered to remain closed for the week. To ensure public safety, additional doctors and paramedics have been sent to Santorini’s hospital, and six disaster medicine teams are ready to assist in case of a major disaster.

Medical staff on the island have been conducting evacuation drills in preparation for any potential earthquakes. Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistokleous emphasized the importance of disaster preparedness, stating that the ability to respond to natural disasters is crucial for the health and safety of the population.

Monitoring the Situation

Seismologists have been closely monitoring the swarm of earthquakes between Santorini and Amorgos, as well as the two volcanoes in the area. Experts are uncertain whether these quakes are a precursor to a larger event or if they will continue at this frequency for weeks or months. In total, over 12,000 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 1 have been registered since January 26, with 109 quakes occurring on Monday alone. The largest tremor so far, measuring 5.2 in magnitude, struck on Monday night.

Authorities are continuing to deploy more surveying equipment to track the ongoing seismic activity. Regular meetings between scientists, volcanologists, and government officials are taking place to assess the situation. Regional governments, including Israel, have warned that a large earthquake in the area could lead to tsunamis and possible volcanic eruptions.