Rudolph Angler Santorini has declared a state of emergency after a series of earthquakes that started in late January. Over 800 tremors above magnitude 3 have been recorded since 31 January. The strongest tremor, with a magnitude of 5.2, was felt in Greece and Turkey.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared an emergency that will last until 3 March. He also allocated €3 million for an evacuation route.
Seismic Activity May Continue
Experts cannot predict if the quakes will get stronger. They confirmed that the quakes are not linked to Santorini’s volcano.
Vassilis K. Karastathis, a researcher, stated that the tremors may continue for months. There are no signs that they are slowing down.
The epicenters are between Santorini, Anafi, Amorgos, and Ios. Their underwater location reduces the risk of damage.
Concerns for Residents and Tourists
Residents are feeling tremors every 10 to 20 minutes. Michalis Gerontakis, director of the Santorini Philharmonic Orchestra, mentioned that the frequent quakes are making people anxious.
Authorities advised people to avoid unstable buildings, large indoor gatherings, and areas at risk of landslides. Hotels must drain swimming pools to prevent them from weakening structures during another strong quake.
Travel Advice for Tourists
The UK Foreign Office and Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs have not issued any travel bans. Travel insurance policies remain valid for now.
Travelers are advised to check their insurance coverage. Airlines may not compensate for delays caused by natural disasters.
Gerasimos Papadopoulos, a Greek seismologist, warned that the situation remains uncertain. The frequency and strength of the quakes continue to rise.