Thousands Flee Santorini as Earthquakes Rock the Island, Defiant Tourists Stay Behind
Santorini, a popular tourist destination in Greece, has been experiencing a series of earthquakes in the Aegean Sea, prompting thousands of residents and tourists to flee the island. The seismic activity has forced the closure of schools across several Greek islands. However, some tourists have chosen to stay and enjoy the views without the usual crowds. Images captured show crowds leaving Santorini due to the tremors, with families carrying young children and tourists dragging their suitcases behind them. In Fira, Santorini’s main town, the typically bustling whitewashed streets were noticeably quiet.
Since Friday, January 31, the islands have been shaken by hundreds of tremors, some of which have reached a magnitude of five. Despite cracks appearing in older buildings, there have been no reported injuries so far. In response to the evacuation of people, ferry and commercial flight operators have increased their services to accommodate the influx. Schools on 13 islands were closed, public events in Santorini were cancelled, travel restrictions were put in place, and construction work in certain areas was halted.
Efthimios Lekkas, the head of the state-run Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation, confirmed that the epicentre of the earthquakes was in the Aegean Sea and moving north away from Santorini. He also clarified that there is no connection to the island’s dormant volcanoes. Lekkas warned that the seismic activity could persist for several days or even weeks, stating, “We are not able to predict the evolution of the sequence in time.” Meanwhile, government officials in Athens are meeting daily to plan and assess the situation, receiving updates from island authorities.
Despite the ongoing earthquakes, some residents like Panagiotis Hatzigeorgiou, who has lived on Santorini for over three decades, have chosen to remain on the island. Hatzigeorgiou noted that while older residents are accustomed to earthquakes, the current situation feels different with tremors occurring every two to three minutes. Nevertheless, he remains calm, stating, “The main thing is not to worry. Now we can listen to music alone and have coffee by ourselves.”
For some visitors like Joseph Liu from Guangzhou, China, the allure of Santorini remains strong. Liu, who had dreamt of visiting the island after seeing it in a documentary, arrived prepared for the seismic activity and was captivated by its beauty, commenting, “This place is amazing, really beautiful.” The earthquakes have disrupted daily life on Santorini, but the island’s charm continues to attract adventurous travellers like Liu.
In the midst of uncertainty and seismic unrest, Santorini stands as a testament to resilience and beauty, drawing in both those who seek solace in its tranquillity and others who revel in its natural wonders. As the earthquakes continue to shake the island, the spirit of Santorini remains unbroken, offering a glimpse of hope and wonder amidst the tremors.