As a series of earthquakes continue to rattle the iconic Greek island of Santorini, thousands of residents and tourists are fleeing to safety via ferries and planes to Athens. The seismic activity has prompted authorities to close schools on Santorini and nearby islands, including Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi, until Friday.
In recent days, hundreds of tremors have been recorded in the Aegean Sea between Santorini and Amorgos. The most significant quake, measuring 4.9 in magnitude, struck early Tuesday morning, sending residents rushing to the port to escape the unsettling conditions.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking from Brussels, acknowledged the intensity of the geological phenomenon. “I want to ask our islanders to remain calm and follow the instructions of the Civil Protection authority,” he urged.
Flights from Santorini to Athens are fully booked, with Greek air carrier Aegean Airlines reporting that between 2,500 and 2,700 people are expected to have flown out since Monday. Many, like 38-year-old Beni Ouklala, expressed their fears about the ongoing quakes, prioritizing the safety of their children. “We have to leave for the kids, so the kids can calm down,” she said.
However, not everyone is alarmed. Tourist boat captain Eftichis Diamantopouulos, 63, voiced his indifference to the situation: “We will stay here; why should we leave? If something happens, it happens.”
As the situation unfolds, the island’s residents and visitors navigate the uncertainty amid the stunning backdrop of Santorini’s famed white and blue villages perched on steep cliffs.
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