Emergency rescue teams have been dispatched to Santorini, Greece, as concerns rise over increased seismic activity following over 200 undersea earthquakes in three days. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged residents to remain calm and heed Civil Protection warnings, which included the closure of schools on four nearby islands. Alerts were issued via mobile phones for potential rockslides, and access to some areas near cliffs was restricted.
Despite the quakes reaching magnitudes of 4.9, experts indicated they were not linked to Santorini’s volcano, although the heightened seismic activity is alarming. Local officials advised avoidance of large indoor gatherings and instructed hotels to empty swimming pools to minimise damage. Emergency responders have set up staging areas, with families reported to have slept in cars due to anxiety.
Santorini, a popular tourist destination with a history of volcanic eruptions—most notably around 1620 BC—typically welcomes millions of visitors annually. Local authorities have designated gathering points for potential evacuations but stress that measures are precautionary. Prominent seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos warned that while the earthquakes are tectonic, increased tremor frequency could signal further risks. Mayor Nikos Zorzos emphasised preparedness without panic, assuring residents that measures serve merely as a cautionary step.