Powerful earthquake strikes near Santorini following days of seismic activity

A strong earthquake has been recorded between the Greek islands of Amorgos and Santorini, following days of continuous seismic activity in the region. While no major damage has been reported, precautionary measures are being taken as authorities remain on high alert.

The earthquake, which struck at 21:09 local time (19:09 GMT), registered a magnitude of 5.2 and occurred at a depth of 5km. The tremor was preceded by two smaller quakes just minutes earlier, making it the strongest seismic event in recent days.

More than 11,000 people have evacuated Santorini as a precaution, with around 7,000 departing by ferry and 4,000 by air. While the island is a popular tourist destination, the current low season means most evacuees are local residents and workers rather than visitors.

In response to the ongoing seismic activity, authorities have ordered schools on Santorini and nearby islands, including Anafi, Paros, Naxos, and Mykonos, to remain closed until at least Friday. Officials will continue to monitor the situation and reassess safety measures before determining when schools can reopen.

Greek Climate and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced that specialized firefighting units trained in natural disaster response have been deployed to Santorini. Additional emergency teams equipped with search-and-rescue dogs and a mobile operations center have also arrived on the island. Helicopters are on standby in case of urgent evacuations, while the coast guard and armed forces have been mobilized to assist vulnerable individuals who wish to leave.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis offered cautious optimism amid ongoing seismic activity, assuring residents that authorities were fully prepared. Speaking at a civil protection meeting on Wednesday, he emphasized the government’s reliance on scientific expertise in managing crises. “First and foremost, the state trusts science and scientists. We have done this in other crises,” he stated, according to sources, while highlighting that emergency response plans were actively in place.

Mitsotakis reassured the public that resources had been deployed to Santorini and nearby islands to ensure safety. Urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities, he acknowledged the fear caused by the tremors but stressed that the situation was being closely monitored. “We will continue like this with the good hope that things will get better, and the phenomenon will subside,” he added.

Santorini, part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, has a history of volcanic activity. However, officials confirmed that the recent tremors were caused by tectonic movements, not volcanic unrest. The last significant eruption in the area occurred in the 1950s. While the risk remains, experts continue to monitor developments, ensuring necessary precautions are taken to safeguard the island’s residents and infrastructure.

Scientists explain that earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth’s crust. Santorini and the surrounding Greek islands are located near a major fault line, making them prone to seismic activity. However, while experts can identify regions where earthquakes are more likely to occur, predicting their exact timing, magnitude, or location remains impossible.

As monitoring continues, officials are urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant while reassessing safety measures in the coming days.