Residents and tourists are leaving the Greek island of Santorini after several hundred earthquakes over the past three days. Emergency security measures have been introduced, FOCUS reported.
The authorities fear the volcano on the island will activate, and residents of Santorini and the surrounding islands near the epicenter of the earthquake spent the night in their cars.
There have been over 380 earthquakes in the past three days. Tourists left the exotic place by ferry.
Within minutes, four strong earthquakes hit the island, two of which had a magnitude close to five on the Richter scale.
Seismic activity on Santorini continues. Local residents are staying outdoors because they are afraid of buildings collapsing.
The tremors are also felt strongly on the neighboring islands of Amargo, Paros, Antiparos and Naxos. Restrictive measures are also in effect there. Special rescue teams have been sent to these islands as well.
On Santorini, access has been banned to three areas where there is a risk of rockfalls. In the event of a tsunami, people should evacuate from the coast to higher ground on the island.
Schools on the islands of Santorini, Anafi, Ios and Amorgos will remain closed until Friday due to continued seismic activity, experts from two earthquake monitoring committees in Greece said, ANA-MPA reported.
The committees noted that seismic activity in the sea around the island of Andros, between Santorini and Amorgos, was particularly intense, registering 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of over 3.0 on the Richter scale as of Saturday (February 1). The strongest of the earthquakes was registered with a magnitude of 4.9 on the Richter scale.
The two committees include the Permanent Scientific Committee for Seismic Hazard Assessment and Reduction and the Permanent Scientific Committee for Monitoring the Greek Volcanic Arc (under the Hellenic Organization for Earthquake Planning and Protection, OASP).
Seismic activity in the caldera (the volcanic formation formed when the crater collapsed inwards) of Santorini remains at the same low levels as in previous days, the committees explained after reviewing the relevant data. The current seismic activity on the island of Andros is due to underwater faults in a northeast and southwest direction and is not related to volcanic activity, they said.
The committees also reiterated preventive measures for Santorini, including avoiding large gatherings in buildings and avoiding the ports of Amoudi, Armenis, Korfos and the old port of Fira, emptying swimming pools, choosing safe routes away from possible landslides, and advising residents to immediately evacuate coastal areas if a strong earthquake occurs.
Yesterday's meeting was convened by OASP President Efthymios Lekas. It was held at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection in the presence of the ministry's leadership, including Minister Vassilis Kikilias and heads of the fire service.
The two committees will meet again at 08:00 on Wednesday.
Information for citizens can be found on the OASP website (www.oasp.gr) and on the ministry's website (www.civilprotection.gr).
The seismic activity, which began on Saturday, continued in the sea area between Santorini and Amorgos today, ANA-MPA recalls.