Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has issued a plea for calm as Santorini and its neighbouring islands in the Aegean Sea experience a series of earthquakes. The tremors, which have included a magnitude 5.1 quake, have caused minimal damage and no injuries so far. Despite this, thousands of locals and tourists have evacuated the islands out of fear that a larger earthquake may be imminent.
The picturesque Santorini island, home to a dormant volcano, has experienced around 200 quakes of magnitude 3 or higher, although experts believe this activity is not linked to volcanic eruptions. Seismologists warn that the current earthquake swarm could indicate a larger event on the horizon, with the risk level escalating.
Santorini attracts millions of tourists annually to its stunning cliffs and whitewashed villages, a result of a massive volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. While the last notable eruption occurred in 1950, experts believe that the volcano’s potential for large explosions is still present.
As evacuations continue, ferry operators and airlines are providing additional services to help people leave the islands. Emergency crews have set up tents in preparation for any potential disasters, and push alerts have been sent to mobile phones to warn of potential danger zones.
Tourists and residents, including tourist guide Kostas Sakavaras, are preparing for the worst while hoping for a resolution to the ongoing seismic activity. Despite the challenges, Mitsotakis has called for unity and calm in the face of uncertainty.
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