State of emergency declared on Santorini after powerful earthquake sparks evacuation

A state of emergency has been declared on Greece’s island of Santorini after it was rattled by a strong earthquake, forcing thousands of people to evacuate.

Measuring at a magnitude of 5.2, it is the most powerful tremor to have hit the island in recent weeks, occurring at a depth of three miles, after a spike in seismic activity.

Thousands of people fled Santorini and its neighbours in the Aegean Sea amid fears that another – much more intense – is yet to come, which could lead to a tsunami or even a volcanic eruption.

Greek authorities announced the drastic measures, which will be in effect until March 1, earlier today, Real.gr reported.

Scores of tourists and residents abandoned the island by ferry, while more rushed to get on a plane before another tremor strikes the island.

A coast guard vessel and a military landing craft were deployed in case an evacuation is required, civil protection minister Vassilis Kikilias confirmed at an emergency meeting with security officials, scientists and the prime minister in Athens.

Multiple smaller tremors, ranging between magnitudes of 2.4 and 4.5, were also felt in the Dodecanese Islands, about 140 miles from Santorini, in the last 24 hours.

So far major damage has not been reported on the island, but authorities have been taking precautionary measures.

People have been advised to avoid large indoor gatherings, small ports and areas where rockslides could occur.

Hotels have been told to drain their swimming pools to reduce potential building damage.

There are also fears that a stronger earthquake could trigger a tsunami, so authorities have warned people to stay away from coastal areas

Precautionary measures have also been carried out on several nearby islands in the Aegean Sea, all of which are popular holiday destinations after more than 200 undersea earthquakes were recorded over the past three days.

Mobile phones across Santorini have been blaring with alerts throughout the day, warning people of the potential for rockslides.

What’s happening in Santorini? The latest seismic activity explained

‘We have a very intense geological phenomenon to handle,’ prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said from Brussels.

‘I want to ask our islanders first and foremost to remain calm, to listen to the instructions of the civil protection (authority).’

Experts have said that the seismic activity on the island, some of whose most populated areas are perched on steep cliffs, will continue for weeks.

Greece lies in a highly seismically active part of the world and earthquakes are frequent.

Seismic activity in the region has been charting high (Picture: GFZ)

But it is extremely rare for any part of the country to experience such an intense barrage of frequent earthquakes.

Last week, authorities said monitors had picked up increased volcanic activity within Santorini’s caldera, or flooded crater, but scientists say this is unrelated to the current quakes.

Is it safe to travel to Santorini?

The Foreign Office has asked British visitors to Santorini and three other islands to:

• Avoid the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos and Old Port (Paleos Limenas).
• Avoid old buildings.
• Stay away from large indoor gatherings.

The airports are still operating, and most tourists have left.

How likely is volcanic activity?

Santorini may be one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations – but it lies in a highly seismically active part of the world.

It is also located on what is known as the Hellenic Volcanic Arc – a chain of islands created by volcanoes. The last major eruption was in the 1950s.

There are two volcanoes in the area: Nea Kameni, an islet within Santorini’s caldera; and Kolumbo, a submarine volcano about five miles northeast.

Although a volcanic eruption is theoretically possible, experts do not think the earthquakes will lead to one.

More perilous parts of the island have been marked off (Picture: AFP)

Costas Papazachos, professor of applied geophysics and seismology at the University of Thessaloniki, said Tuesday: ‘All scientists agree that this is a highly unlikely scenario.’

James Turner