Santorini Earthquakes Lead to Evacuations and Surge in Ferry Services

Over the past few days, the Cyclades archipelago of Greece, particularly the islands of Santorini and Amorgos, has been rocked by over 700 seismic events. The tremors, which have registered between magnitudes 3 and 5 on the Richter scale, are described by seismologists as a natural occurrence, though they warn that this seismic activity may continue for several weeks.

These continuous tremors have caused significant anxiety among residents and tourists, prompting many to evacuate. However, poor weather has complicated evacuation efforts, leading to the suspension of ferry services. Consequently, individuals wishing to leave have faced increased ticket prices, with fares for ferries and flights spiking by approximately 150%. In response to the crisis, authorities held an emergency parliamentary session that resulted in a dramatic decrease in flight ticket prices, reducing them from EUR 300 to EUR 56.

To prepare for the possibility of worsened seismic activity, local officials have set up temporary shelters, such as tent camps, to accommodate those in need if there is notable structural damage. As a precaution, schools in the area will remain closed at least until the end of the week. Santorini, which has a stable population of around 15,500 but welcomes millions of tourists annually, is particularly affected by this situation.

As the quakes persist, uncertainty lingers over how long these disturbances will last. Many evacuees and tourists remain stranded, unable to leave due to the ongoing seismic events and ferry suspensions, leaving them in a state of limbo as they await a solution.

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