Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Santorini on Friday, where residents and tourists are reeling from over 8,000 tremors since January 26, 2023. The unprecedented seismic activity has prompted authorities to announce emergency measures and has led to the evacuation of more than two-thirds of the island’s 15,000 inhabitants.
The seismic disturbances on the volcanic island have resulted in the declaration of a state of emergency effective until March 3, 2023. While no injuries or major infrastructure damage have been reported, minor cracks have appeared in some buildings. The government has banned traffic from vulnerable areas prone to rockslides to minimize risks.
During his visit, Mitsotakis inspected emergency facilities and pledged 3 million euros toward constructing evacuation routes on the southern part of the island. Army trucks have been deployed to distribute generators and assist rescue teams. Mitsotakis noted, "Nos estamos preparando para lo peor mientras esperamos lo mejor. Eso es lo que debe hacer un Estado serio y organizado," emphasizing the government's preparedness to handle the crisis.
The repeated seismic events include the most significant recorded quake of magnitude 5.2 and another measured at 4.8. The tremors have led to mass evacuations, with over 11,000 individuals—comprising residents, workers, and tourists—leaving the island, mainly by ferry. An eerie calm currently blankets what was once vibrant with over 3.4 million yearly visitors, as daily life has become disrupted and the streets remain largely deserted.
Experts are closely monitoring the situation, considering various scenarios. Emergency services are preparing residents for potential outcomes ranging from continued low-magnitude shakes to unexpected higher-magnitude tremors which could lead to serious rockslides and infrastructural damage, particularly to non-seismic compliant structures. Historical data serve as sobering reminders; significant past events, such as the 1956 Amorgos earthquake of magnitude 7.7, inflicted substantial consequences on the region.
Mitigative steps are also underway, with engineers actively assessing buildings for stability and safety. Despite the active monitoring, both geologists and sismologists agree the current seismic turmoil remains unpredictable.
Addressing the rising concerns, Mitsotakis declared, "No creemos que ocurra algo catastrófico," reassuring residents no disaster is anticipated. His confidence is echoed by authorities as they continue to manage the aftermath of the situation pragmatically.
Currently, forces from the Greek Army bolster the local emergency teams, prioritizing public safety and infrastructure stabilization. Anticipation is high, with many residents left waiting and hoping for normality to return swiftly.
Additional precautions remain firmly entrenched, including continuous communication with the public to maintain calm and disseminate information on safety protocols. Institutions and state resources have streamlined their responses to tackle the extraordinary needs posed by this seismic wave.
With experts monitoring the geological activity minute by minute, the island’s fate hangs precariously. The world watches as Santorini continues to face one of its most significant natural challenges, hoping the situation abates and normalcy can be restored to this famed tourist gem.