Thousands of Greece Residents Evacuated as Tremors Shake Santorini

Hundreds of tremors recorded near Santorini have forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents from the island this week.

Greece declared a state of emergency on Santorini and surrounding islands on Thursday, known as the Cyclades, which will remain in place until at least March 3 amid increased seismic activity. According to rolling data from the University of Athens, the tremors are now constant, with five or more recorded in several one-hour periods. While no quake has exceeded a 5.0 magnitude, the frequency of the activity remains high, which is worrying experts.

Authorities have shut schools and warned residents to avoid indoor gatherings due to the heightened risk of landslides. According to Euronews, hotels on the island were instructed to drain swimming pools over concerns that large volumes of displaced water from a major quake could destabilize buildings.

U.S. Travel Advisory

The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Greece issued an alert Thursday, warning U.S. citizens to “exercise extreme caution” due to the ongoing seismic activity and to follow instructions from Greek authorities if they are visiting the area.

“The U.S. Mission in Greece reminds U.S. citizens to exercise extreme caution in affected areas,” the advisory said. It also warned that “in case of a strong earthquake, people should immediately depart coastal areas due to the risk of a tsunami.”

All travelers to Greece should also register with Greece’s Emergency Communications Service, which provides real-time updates via text, e-mail, or voicemail.