Santorini tourists on high alert after 200 tremors hit island

Residents and tourists on the Greek island of Santorini have been put on high alert after an increase in seismic activity.

Since Friday, the island has been hit by more than 200 tremors, including a 5.0-magnitude earthquake on Monday morning. Local authorities have ordered schools to close and have advised residents and hotel owners to drain swimming pools as a precautionary measure.

Aegean Airlines has also put on two additional flights to and from Santorini – on Monday, February 3 and on Tuesday, February 4 – to help residents and tourists depart the island, following a request by the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.

People on the island have reported tremors every few minutes at times. The strongest earthquakes occurred on the morning of Monday, February 3. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck just 20 miles off the coast of Santorini at 9.29am. An hour earlier, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred 19 miles off Santorini, according to the United States Geological Survey.

What is happening in Santorini right now?

A series of tremors exceeding a magnitude of 4.0 have struck close to the Aegean tourist island of Santorini since Friday, January 31. The quakes are ongoing as of Monday, February 3.

While there have been no reports of casualties or damage to buildings at the time of writing, Greek authorities have advised all schools to be closed on Monday, February 3. Schools on the neighbouring islands of Amorgos, Ios and Anafi will also be closed.

Residents with swimming pools and hotel owners have been advised to drain their swimming pools. This is because, in the instance of a high-magnitude earthquake, large quantities of water could potentially damage or destabilise nearby buildings.

People have also been advised to avoid large open-air gatherings, to avoid entering old buildings, and to stay away from four small ports on the island, including the popular harbour town of Fira where cruise ships dock.

Tents have been erected in an outdoor stadium, and special disaster response units have been put on standby as a precautionary measure.

“We estimate it (the activity) will continue for some days and there could be a lengthy seismic sequence,” Efthymios Lekkas, a professor of tectonic geology and disaster management, said on Greek television.

Costas Papazachos, a professor of geophysics and seismology, said the worst-case scenario would be an earthquake measuring 6.0.

“This does not necessarily mean that there will be a strong earthquake, it may well be that the thermal energy dissipates and we have a smaller earthquake in Santorini… But we have to take measures,” he said in an interview with the Greek website protothema.gr.

What does the Foreign Office say?

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated its advice for travelling to Greece on Sunday, February 2.

“The Greek Ministry of Civil Protection has issued advice for Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, following increased seismic activity in the area,” the advice reads.

“Schools will remain closed on Monday, February 3. People are advised not to attend large indoors gatherings and to avoid old or abandoned buildings. The Greek Ministry advises people to avoid the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos and Old Port (Paleos Limenas) in the area of Fira and to choose safe routes when travelling, particularly in areas where the landslide risk is high.

“In case of a strong tremor, people should immediately depart coastal areas.”

Does Santorini have a history of earthquakes?

Greece is positioned at the junction between European and African tectonic plates. As a result, earthquakes and tremors are regular occurrences.

In 1956, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurred off the island of Amorgos, causing significant damage on the island and neighbouring Santorini. It was followed minutes later by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, closer to Santorini. This was the largest quake in Greece in the 20th century, prompting a 30m tsunami and causing the deaths of 53 people across Amorgos and Santorini, with more than 100 people injured. More than 500 houses were destroyed in the earthquake, with many more badly damaged.

The island of Crete has suffered a series of high magnitude earthquakes in recent years. In 2013, 2020 and 2021 the island has suffered earthquakes with magnitudes in excess of 6.0.

Santorini is a volcanic island, curving around a flooded caldera. The island, as it is recognised today, formed following the Minoan volcanic eruption of 1600BC, one of the largest in human history. The last time the volcano erupted was in 1950, although this was relatively small and the chances of a major eruption are slim. The island witnesses a large explosion only once in every 20,000 years, and the last one was only 3,500 years ago.

How can I stay safe during an earthquake?

The UK Foreign Office recommends reading the Greek Ministry of Civil Protection’s advice on how to prepare for and stay safe during an earthquake.

The ministry says that during an earthquake, you should take cover under sturdy furniture, or lower your height as much as possible. They advise to move away from large glass surfaces, like windows, and to refrain from going out of the house or onto a balcony. If outdoors, the ministry advises to to move away from buildings or telephone pylons, and to cover your head.

Should I cancel my holiday to Santorini?

Santorini welcomes 3.4m tourists every year, and has become a firm favourite among British holidaymakers in recent years.

At the time of writing, the Foreign Office has not issued a formal warning to avoid travelling to Santorini as a result of the recent seismic activity. It is impossible to predict whether Santorini could be hit by a stronger tremor, but it is quite possible there will be more quakes in days to come.

Hotels and restaurants remain open. One hotel on higher ground in Santorini is offering itself as a refuge for tourists on the island. Daniel Kerzner of SantoriniSky told The Telegraph: “Given our unique location of 2,000ft from the Aegean Sea, we are well protected, and likely the most protected hotel on the island.

“In addition to our location at the highest point on Santorini, the resort is also built directly into the rock. As a new construction it is built to withstand such activity. Any residents or tourists on the island who may need support are welcome to enjoy the hospitality and comfort we offer in our Sky Lounge during this time.

“Our team is prepared with extra food, water, amenities and support for anyone who may require it.”

Some tourists are pre-emptively fleeing the island. Patrice Lamouroux from Angouleme, France, travelled from Santorini to Crete by ferry yesterday. He told The Telegraph: “Prices of airline tickets are sky high because lots of people are trying to leave the island. Also by boat. I was told that there are four stages before [a volcanic] eruption and there have been three of these stages. It’s worrying.”

If you have booked to travel to Santorini in the next week or two, and wish to cancel your holiday, then you will not automatically be eligible for a refund from your airline or tour operator given that no formal travel warning has been issued by the FCDO.

However, if you are feeling nervous about visiting the island and do wish to cancel or postpone, you should contact your holiday company or airline as soon as possible to see if they will grant any flexibility given the circumstances.

Aegean Airlines, for example, is offering flexibility. On Monday morning, it tweeted to say that all passengers with tickets to and from Santorini up until February 9 can change their flight at no extra cost, with a new travel date up to March 31 or the option for a credit voucher.

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