Greece has declared a state of emergency on the island of Santorini following hundreds of undersea earthquakes that have affected the area since January 31. The Greek government, as stated by spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, has mobilized emergency services—including fire departments, police, coast guard, armed forces, and medical teams—to reinforce Santorini and nearby islands. This response follows a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, the strongest yet, which occurred late Wednesday.
Minimal damage has been reported, but these seismic events have prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents and seasonal workers to the Greek mainland. Expert analysis from Vassilis K. Karastathis of the National Observatory of Athens indicates that the quakes are unrelated to volcanic activity in the Aegean Sea, though the potential for a more significant earthquake remains uncertain.
The earthquakes are concentrated in a cluster under the sea between Santorini, Anafi, Amorgos, and Ios, which reduces the likelihood of widespread damage. On Santorini, local authorities have taken safety measures, such as cordoning off vulnerable cliff-top areas and inspecting school buildings, which have been closed for the week.
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The island's Orthodox Church, under Metropolitan Bishop Amphilochios of Thira, Amorgos, and Isles, has urged the community to support each other through these times, emphasizing the communal nature of island life. In a message, the bishop said: "This is how we will face the present condition while it lasts. And by God's grace, we will strengthen ourselves on the path of progress and creation for the good of our islands and their blessed inhabitants, our brothers and sisters." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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