Synopsis
On February 6, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed the activation of state resources to address ongoing seismic activity in the Santorini region. With over 6,400 earthquakes recorded recently, authorities are on high alert while urging residents and tourists to take necessary precautions.Key Takeaways
- Seismic Activity: Over 6,400 earthquakes recorded in Santorini and Amorgos.
- Government Response: Comprehensive state resources deployed to the region.
- Safety Measures: Residents advised to avoid unsafe areas and gatherings.
- Expert Opinions: Current activity is tectonic, not volcanic.
- Tourism Impact: Significant number of tourists have departed.
Athens, Feb 6 (NationPress) Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that the Greek state apparatus has been completely activated to address any potential scenarios as a series of tremors persist in the vicinity of the Santorini volcanic area.
"The entire state apparatus has been activated. All relevant contingency plans are in place, and numerous state resources have been sent to Santorini and surrounding islands. The state is ready for any possible situation," Mitsotakis stated during a televised press briefing at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection in Athens on Wednesday.
According to the University of Athens' Interdisciplinary Committee for Handling Threats and Crises, a total of 6,400 earthquakes were reported in the Santorini and Amorgos islands region from January 26 to February 3, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The committee has not dismissed the chance of experiencing a stronger earthquake soon, echoing warnings from various Greek seismologists over the past week.
Santorini is home to around 20,000 permanent residents, with about 5,000 tourists visiting during this time, a small fraction of the three million tourists that visit Santorini annually.
Greek authorities estimate that nearly 11,000 people have left Santorini since the seismic activity escalated last week, and have deployed experts and emergency teams to Santorini, Amorgos, and nearby islands. Tents have been established in sports centers, and residents have been warned to take safety precautions, avoid abandoned buildings, cliffs, and shorelines, and refrain from indoor gatherings until further notice.
Nevertheless, experts are remaining composed, stressing that Santorini can endure such quakes. They reiterated that the current seismic activity is tectonic, not volcanic.
Santorini is part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc, an active volcanic zone. However, no significant volcanic disasters have been recorded in modern history.
