Over 200 Earthquakes Hit Tourist Favourite Greece's Santorini In 2 Days; Indoor Gathering Banned, Schools Closed

After over 200 earthquakes in Santorini, Greek authorities have decided to shut schools and dispatch rescue teams.

Santorini is part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, one of Europe’s most active volcanic fields.

Source : X/@therealmindman

After more than 200 earthquakes hit the iconic Greek island of Santorini over the past few days, authorities have decided to shut down schools on Monday. Aside from this, they have dispatched rescue teams with sniffer dogs and sent instructions to residents including a request to drain their swimming pools.

According to CNN, authorities have advised people to avoid large indoor gatherings and steer clear of multiple ports, including the old port of Fira. The authorities announced on Sunday, that schools will also remain closed in the nearby Aegean islands of Anafi, Ios, and Amorgos.

Earthquake experts and officials from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, along with the fire service have been holding daily meetings. Experts have assured that the more than 200 tremors which began early Friday are unrelated to the Santorini volcano—known for one of the largest eruptions in human history—locals remain on edge, as per an Associated Press report.

The strongest earthquake recorded was a magnitude 4.6 at 3:55 pm on Sunday, at a depth of 14 kilometres, according to the Athens Geodynamic Institute. Several tremors above magnitude 4 and dozens around magnitude 3 followed. No damage or casualties have been reported, as per AP. Experts said it was impossible to predict whether the seismic activity could lead to a stronger tremor, but added that the area could potentially produce a 6-magnitude quake.

During Sunday’s meeting held at the prime minister’s office with the chief of Greece’s armed forces and other officials.

The rescue workers have pitched tents in the open fields, as per CNN.

Residents of the island have been advised to avoid large open-air events and to move about the islands mindfully, due to rockfalls. All four islands have steep cliffs and, Santorini, a large part of the main town is built on a cliffside.

According to CNN, Santorini is part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, one of Europe’s most active volcanic fields, with over 100 eruptions recorded in the past 400,000 years. However, the authorities have said that the current seismic activity is due to tectonic movements that do not appear related to volcanic activity.