Santorini, a renowned tourist hotspot in Greece, has experienced a series of strong undersea earthquakes over the past week, leading the Greek government to declare a state of emergency on Thursday. The most recent quake, registering 5.2 on the Richter scale, struck late Wednesday, making it the most powerful tremor since seismic activity started on January 31. The emergency declaration aims to accelerate response efforts by granting authorities quicker access to state resources.
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Government Mobilizes Emergency Services Amid Ongoing Earthquakes Activity
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis confirmed that emergency services have been deployed to support Santorini and nearby regions. “Fire departments, police, coast guards, armed forces, and emergency medical teams have been reinforced with extra personnel and specialized equipment,” he stated.
While the tremors have caused only minor structural damage, ongoing seismic activity has sparked widespread fear among residents and tourists. Thousands have been evacuated, with many opting to leave for the Greek mainland by ferry. Municipal authorities have restricted access to certain cliff-top towns at risk of rockslides, while crews have inspected school buildings, which have remained closed since the earthquakes began.
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Experts Warn of Ongoing Seismic Risks as Community Unites in Solidarity
Seismologists have clarified that the recent tremors are unrelated to volcanic activity in the Aegean Sea, though they have not ruled out the potential for a stronger earthquake. Vassilis K. Karastathis, director of research at the National Observatory of Athens, stressed that there is no clear sign of the seismic activity subsiding. “We have not seen any signs that it is heading toward a regression,” he stated.
Amid the uncertainty, Santorini’s Orthodox Church has called for solidarity among residents. Metropolitan Bishop Amphilochios of Thira encouraged islanders to uphold their communal spirit and face the crisis together. Despite the difficulties, the community remains optimistic about their ability to recover and rebuild through collective effort.
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