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Earthquakes Shake Santorini: Over 11,000 Flee As Earthquakes Continue To Shake Island

Over 11,000 people have fled Santorini due to ongoing earthquakes, including a magnitude 5 tremor. Authorities are taking safety measures, urging caution amid fears of stronger quakes.

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Earthquakes Shake Santorini: Over 11,000 Flee As Earthquakes Continue To Shake Island

Thousands of residents have evacuated Santorini after a series of earthquakes hit the island for four consecutive days. According to officials, over 11,000 people have left, while 7,000 have taken ferry and 4,000 by air.

The island has seen hundreds of tremors. The strongest so far was a magnitude 5 earthquake on Tuesday. There have been no major structural damages reported, but schools were closed and large indoor gatherings are restricted. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis requested the residents to stay calm.

Seismologists are reported to be on red alert. Its head, Efthymis Lekkas of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation, said, “A magnitude 6 or higher cannot be ruled out at this moment.” Director of the Geodynamic Institute of Athens Vasilis Karastathis said that the frequency and strength were causing concern.

In addition, authorities have deployed 51 firefighters, nine vehicles, a fire department helicopter, and aerial rescue personnel to Santorini to further strengthen emergency response efforts. Additional personnel have been stationed in Amorgos, Ios, Astypalaia, and Anafi because of increased seismic activity across the Cyclades.

In response to evacuations, the government asked Aegean Airlines to operate nine emergency flights. Authorities also refused access to several high-risk areas, such as Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos Thirassias, and the Old Port of Fira. Meanwhile, schools in neighboring islands including Mykonos, Leros, Syros, and Patmos are shut down until at least Friday.

Santorini is part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, but since the 1950s, it has not seen a major eruption. However, scientists say that the tremors from this sort of tectonic activity and not due to volcanic unrest. Earthquakes are unpredictable, but being part of a fault line makes the area particularly vulnerable to experiencing seismic events.