Major update on tourist destination hit by series of devastating earthquakes


Major update on tourist destination hit by series of devastating earthquakes

Play all audios:


SANTORINI HAS BEEN HIT BY MORE EARTHQUAKES LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER A STATE OF EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED ON THE HOLIDAY ISLAND IN GREECE. NEARLY 15,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EVACUATED FROM THE


ISLAND SINCE SUNDAY ADAM CAILLER Senior reporter and Reddit team lead and BRADLEY JOLLY Overnight News Editor 08:53, 07 Feb 2025 Santorini is on high alert after more earthquakes hit, mere


hours following the Greek authorities' declaration of a state of emergency. The beautiful tourist destination has plunged into crisis as thousands of tremors prompted officials to take


extreme measures, with nearly 15,000 people fleeing their homes since Sunday. A 4.6-magnitude earthquake jolted the waters between Santorini and Amorgos at around 8.16pm last night, and was


closely followed by a second shake, rated at 4.2 magnitude, roughly two hours later. This latest bout of seismic activity follows a potent 5.2-magnitude quake on Wednesday—the biggest one


logged so far. Brit holidaymakers are being cautioned against visiting derelict buildings and partaking in indoor social events if travelling to Santorini during this turbulent period. The


Foreign Office has issued advice which may be subject to change in light of the fresh quakes, urging tourists to stay updated via the government website given the grim circumstances. Amidst


the unceasing tremors, local Chryssa Pappas told The Mirror: "We're all really scared. Our island is shaking constantly, and no one seems to know what will happen next."


Article continues below Greek seismologist Akis Tselepis has voiced concerns that the same fault line that led to the disastrous 1956 earthquake—claiming 50 lives and leaving hundreds


injured—has stirred once again. Speaking to The Sun, Tselepis revealed: "The seismic activity is not withdrawing, on the contrary, it is gaining in momentum. The worst-case scenario is


that we will again see an earthquake of the same magnitude." Santorini's Thira Municipality has announced that emergency measures are to continue until March 3. In a statement, it


declared: "A state of emergency has been decided to confront urgent needs and deal with the consequences that have arisen from the seismic activity." Greece's Prime Minister


Kyriakos Mitsotakis is scheduled to make a trip to Santorini today. He previously assured: "All plans have been implemented. Forces have been moved to Santorini and the other islands so


that we are ready for any eventuality." The island's iconic cliffs bear the marks of landslides, with dust billows emerging as debris tumbles into the sea. Police have sealed off


extensive areas of the island, located in the Aegean Sea. Although smaller than fellow Greek islands like Crete, Evia, and Rhodes, Santorini has experienced an alarming upsurge in seismic


activity; since February 1, it's faced over 108 earthquakes rated more than 4.0 on the Richter scale – surpassing the total earthquakes of 2023. Furthermore, the area has been rattled


by in excess of 7,700 tremors - slight vibrations - in just a week. Article continues below _FOR THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND STORIES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE FROM THE DAILY STAR, SIGN UP FOR


OUR NEWSLETTERS._