Chaos on Santorini: Why half of the island's residents are fleeing

Renowned as one of the globe's most celebrated tourist destinations, this island attracts over five million visitors annually. Despite its popularity, more than half of its modest population of 20,000 residents have been forced to flee the island.

In recent days, hundreds of earthquakes have shaken the island, with magnitudes reaching 5 on the Richter scale. Faced with this situation, more than 10,000 inhabitants have decided to evacuate for safety.

In addition to the risk of a major earthquake, authorities fear a massive tsunami could devastate the famous island.

Seismic activity has intensified in the Aegean Sea, specifically between the islands of Santorini, Anafi, Ios, and Amorgos, reports the BBC. The ongoing earthquakes have prompted the closure of schools and authorities have advised both residents and tourists to evacuate the affected areas as a safety measure.

In a decisive move reflecting the principle that  it is 'better to be safe than sorry', Greek authorities have prioritized safety amid uncertainties, perhaps raising questions about the extremity of their measures.

In the last few hours, the island's exit routes, both airports and boats, have been overwhelmed by the thousands of people who have chosen to leave Santorini as they have been advised.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the affected area was facing "a very intense geological phenomenon" and that special firefighting teams had been sent to the area in anticipation of what might happen.

The last major earthquake in the area dates back to 1956, with a magnitude of 7.7, the epicentre of which was on the island of Amorgos, and which produced a subsequent tsunami with waves of up to 30 metres, killing more than 50 people. This is precisely what the Greek authorities want to avoid.

And it is the tsunami that worries Greek leaders the most. Beyond the danger posed by earthquakes, especially landslides, as some have already occurred, it would be the subsequent tsunami that would cause a disaster at all levels in the area.

In anticipation of potential events, authorities have orchestrated the evacuation of thousands from Santorini, with no defined date for a return, affecting residents and visitors alike.

Never miss a story! Click here to follow The Daily Digest.