Authorities enforced measures on Tuesday (February 4) as tremors continued to shake the popular tourist island of Santorini and hundreds fled. Schools were closed until the end of the week on Santorini and surrounding islands, and indoor social gatherings were cancelled and prohibited. Measures also included the cessation of construction work, and authorities advised the emptying of pools.
Seismic activity could take days or weeks to abate
With seismologists estimating that the intense seismic activity could take days or weeks to abate, people were also advised to stay out of coastal areas due to the risk of landslides. Lines continued to form at travel agents as people bought tickets to leave the island. Overnight hundreds boarded a ferry heading out.
Seasonal worker Beni Ouklala said he was leaving with his family to find some calm. But local resident Eftichis Diamantopoulos shrugged off the tremors. Over the last days extra flights have been put on by carriers while ferries have been packed full of people leaving.
Hundreds of quakes, with a magnitude as high as around 4.9 have been registered in the sea between the volcanic islands of Santorini and Amorgos in the Aegean Sea since Friday, said Greek experts. There has been no damage or injuries.
Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos called for calm and patience, saying the tremors could last weeks and adding emergency measures were in place in case of a larger quake. Emergency rescue crews have been sent to the island pre-emptively in case of a larger quake.
Greece is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Europe as it sits at the boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates whose constant interaction prompts frequent quakes.
