Earthquake alarm on Greek vacation island: tourists and residents flee

Santorini (Greece) - Due to numerous earth tremors, the Greek island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea, which is popular with tourists, cannot rest.

The Greek island of Santorini is a popular vacation destination.
The Greek island of Santorini is a popular vacation destination.  © Aris Oikonomou/AFP

On Monday morning, there was a magnitude 4.9 quake between Santorini and the neighboring island of Anafi, according to the Institute of Geodynamics of the National Observatory of Athens. More than 200 earthquakes have been recorded since Sunday. No damage was initially reported.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on the island's residents to "remain calm" despite the "very strong" seismic activity.

Some residents had spent the night outdoors out of fear, as Greek media reported. They slept in their cars or in places that had been declared safe by the authorities. Other residents had already left the island by ferry or plane. Schools on Santorini also remained closed on Monday.

The Greek Civil Protection called on the population of Santorini to avoid large gatherings in enclosed spaces. In addition, the ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfou and the old port of Fira should be avoided.

Federal Foreign Office advises German tourists to leave the area

Locals and tourists were already leaving the island in droves.
Locals and tourists were already leaving the island in droves.  © Aris MESSINIS/AFP

The Federal Foreign Office pointed out that travelers should leave coastal areas immediately. There is a risk of flooding in the event of strong seismic tremors.

Anyone vacationing in the region should register on the Foreign Office's crisis preparedness list and activate the "emergency notifications" option on their cell phone.

Santorini is part of the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean Sea in the eastern Mediterranean. The island is home to 15,500 permanent residents and was visited by 3.4 million tourists in 2023 alone.

According to Greek media, around 50 people died on Santorini in a magnitude 7.5 earthquake in 1956, which also triggered a tsunami.