SANTORINI, Greece — A significant number of Greek islands have opted to close their schools on Tuesday as the Aegean Sea continues to experience a series of earthquakes. Meanwhile, some adventurous tourists are taking advantage of the rare opportunity to relish Santorini’s breathtaking views without the usual crowds.
In response to hundreds of tremors measuring up to magnitude 5 since Friday, thousands of local residents and seasonal workers have departed from the Cycladic Islands. To accommodate these evacuations, ferry and airline companies have ramped up their services. Although the quakes have resulted in minor structural damage to older buildings, thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far. On Tuesday, the number of islands shutting down schools increased to 13, up from just four the day before. Furthermore, Santorini had earlier canceled public events, limited travel to the island, and imposed a ban on construction activities in select areas.
Efthimios Lekkas, the head of the Greek Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, stated that the epicenter of the seismic activity is shifting northward away from Santorini. He reassured the public that this sequence of earthquakes is not related to the area’s dormant volcanoes. “This phenomenon could continue for several days or even weeks. We cannot predict how this will unfold over time,” Lekkas noted during a report on state television.
In the main town of Fira, the normally bustling narrow streets that overlook the cliffs were unusually quiet—an uncommon scene even during the low tourist season—except for a few small tour groups, many of whom were visiting from Asian countries. Joseph Liu, a tourist from Guangzhou, southern China, expressed his long-standing desire to visit Santorini after having seen it featured in a documentary. He joined his family and tour group on a balcony that is often reserved for upscale wedding receptions.
“This place is incredible, really beautiful. Just like what I saw in the program: the mystery, the scenery,” he shared. “The tour guide informed us about the earthquakes prior to our arrival, so it wasn’t unexpected.” On the other hand, Panagiotis Hatzigeorgiou, a retired police officer and ship worker who has called Santorini home for over 30 years, mentioned that he has declined offers to relocate to Athens during this time.
“Older locals are accustomed to earthquakes… but the frequency is different this time. Experiencing quakes every 2-3 minutes is not the same. The main thing is to remain calm,” he said, adding with a chuckle, “Now we can enjoy music and coffee by ourselves.” Meanwhile, officials in Athens are conducting daily planning and assessment meetings, remaining well-informed through regular updates from representatives from the islands.
