Santorini Earthquakes Trigger Evacuations and Surge in Ferry Services

Over the past few days, Greece’s Cyclades archipelago, particularly the islands of Santorini and Amorgos, has experienced more than 700 seismic events, with magnitudes between 3 and 5 on the Richter scale. Seismologists have indicated that this series of earthquakes is a natural phenomenon that could last several weeks.

The ongoing tremors have raised concerns among residents and tourists alike, prompting many to evacuate the affected areas. However, adverse weather conditions have hindered evacuation efforts, resulting in suspended ferry services and leaving numerous individuals stranded. Consequently, there has been a sharp increase in transportation costs, with ferry and airline fares rising by approximately 150%. To address the situation, authorities held an emergency parliamentary session and managed to lower flight prices from EUR 300 to EUR 56.

Local officials are taking precautions by establishing temporary accommodations, including tent camps, to house people in case of significant structural damage. Educational institutions have been closed until at least Friday as a safety measure. Santorini, which has a permanent population of around 15,500, typically attracts millions of tourists each year, making the current scenario particularly consequential.

As seismic activity persists, uncertainty looms regarding its duration. Residents and tourists are eagerly waiting to leave the islands, but with ferry operations suspended and tremors ongoing, a resolution remains unclear.

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