Greek authorities have warned of an increase in seismic activity around the island of Santorini, advising people to avoid a number of small ports, empty their pools, refrain from gathering in indoor spaces and shut schools.
Hundreds of tremors have been registered in the last couple of days between the volcanic islands of Santorini and Amorgos, the civil protection ministry said in a statement, citing experts tasked with assessing earthquake risks and monitoring Greece’s volcanic arc.
The experts have concluded that the tremors are not linked with volcanic activity and have proposed precautionary measures which have been extended to the surrounding islands of Amorgos, Ios and Anafi.
They have urged people on Santorini to stay away from the small ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos and the harbour of Fira.
In Athens, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired an emergency meeting on the issue, as Santorini authorities prepared for a potential evacuation.
Greece sits on multiple fault lines and is often rattled by earthquakes. One of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, around 1600 BC, formed the island of Santorini in its current shape. The last eruption in the area occurred in the 1950’s.
(With sources from Reuters)
