Thousands Evacuate Santorini Amid Swarm of Earthquakes Shaking Greece’s Instagram Island

Over 300 quakes rattle Santorini, prompting mass evacuations and emergency measures as Greek officials urge calm amid ongoing seismic activity.

February 5, 2025: Thousands of residents have fled the Greek island of Santorini as hundreds of earthquakes rocked the Aegean Sea, sparking fear and precautionary evacuations. According to Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), more than 300 tremors, with magnitudes exceeding 3.0, have been recorded over the past 48 hours. The seismic activity, concentrated between Santorini and nearby islands like Amorgos and Ios, has left the picturesque “Instagram Island” largely deserted, with 9,000 residents fleeing to the mainland.

Also Read: Basant Panchami Amrit Snan Marks Grand Celebration at Maha Kumbh 2025

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged residents to remain calm, calling the situation “a very intense geological phenomenon” while authorities take preventive measures. Schools have been closed, and residents staying on the island have been advised to avoid large indoor gatherings.

“Everything is closed. No one works now. The whole island has emptied,” an 18-year-old local told Reuters before leaving for the mainland.

Also read: WWE Scandal Deepens: Brock Lesnar Named in Janel Grant’s Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon

Santorini’s Mayor, Nikos Zorzos, emphasized that while the tremors have not caused significant damage, the island is prepared for prolonged seismic activity. Emergency shelters and food provisions have been arranged as a precaution against larger quakes.

Also Read: BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi Celebrates First Patotsav with Grand Festivities

Seismologists have attributed the recent tremors to tectonic plate movements rather than volcanic activity. Although the quakes are considered minor, Santorini’s history with earthquakes adds to the unease; a 7.5 magnitude quake in 1956 claimed 53 lives and left over 100 injured.

The island, which attracts millions of tourists annually, is home to only about 2,000 permanent residents. Officials stress that the current measures are precautionary and that the population must approach the situation with patience and vigilance as seismic activity may persist for weeks.

Tags:

Santorini earthquake, Greek islands tremors, Aegean Sea seismic activity, Santorini evacuation, earthquake preparedness, tectonic activity, Greece tourism impact, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.