More than half of Santorini’s population have fled the holiday hotspot after the island was hit by hundreds of earthquake tremors in recent days.
Earlier this month, Santorini and neighbouring Aegean Sea islands were rocked by a strong 5.2-magnitude quake.
A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck the waters between Santorini and Amorgos with a subsequent 4.2-magnitude shudder felt about two hours later. Greek officials had only recently declared a state of emergency due to recent seismic activity, which prompted schools to close.
At the time, flights and ferries were cancelled, and tourists were cautioned to stay away from Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular islands, but the locals remained.
As the tourism season nears, residents and businesses in Santorini have been in limbo since the swarm of tremors began.
Now, residents have seemingly had enough of the terrors, with over 11,000 packing up their homes and fleeing the island in search of safety,
Many of Santorini’s once bustling bars and restaurants are reportedly closed as well as ticket agencies, tavernas and quad bike hire outlets. Even hotel swimming pools have been emptied.
Although the winter season sees a flurry of businesses close, the island’s relatively big population typically keeps the island lively even in the colder months. Locals say they have never seen the island so quiet.
Maria Kafieri told The Telegraph: “This is the emptiest that I’ve ever seen the island.
“Half the population has evacuated. It’s like the Covid period, only back then people didn’t leave the island.”
Businesses and hoteliers are now anxiously looking ahead to the upcoming tourism season that begins in April.
« Of course we don’t know how long it will take, but I think we are on a relatively good path, » said the head of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, on Greek radio on Wednesday.
Around 21,500 earthquakes have been registered near the Greek island of Santorini over the past three weeks, seismologists at the University of Athens have told national broadcaster ERT.
Authorities continue to advise against gatherings in enclosed spaces on the island and have restricted access to the ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos, and the Old Port in Santorini.
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