On the Greek island Santorini, school closures were announced on Monday the 3rd of February due to an earthquake tremor of up to 4.9 magnitude that was registered north-east of the island. In response to the increase in seismic activity in recent days, which saw magnitude 4.3 and 3.9 earthquakes, the authorities also recommended a ban on large gatherings indoors, reports the British broadcaster BBC.
Although the island has a population of around 15 500, its white houses and blue church domes attract millions of tourists every year.
On Monday, Santorini was rocked by earthquakes every few minutes, some with magnitudes above four.
According to the Seismological Laboratory of the University of Athens, more than 200 earthquakes have been recorded in the Greek islands in the last 48 hours.
Santorini is located in what is known as the Greek volcanic arc, a chain of volcanic islands formed by plate tectonics, with the last major eruption occurring in the 1950s.
The Greek authorities stated that the recent small earthquakes were the result of plate movement and not volcanic activity. They added that the activity of the Santorini caldera, the volcanic basin around which the island is located, continues to decrease.
Geologists consider the recorded tremors to be minor or mild, but the authorities have recommended a number of precautionary measures in addition to the closure of schools, including a request to ships to stay away and avoid the ports of Ammoudi and Fira.
Schools in nearby Anafi, Ios and Amorgos have also been closed.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held an emergency meeting with earthquake and civil protection officials. Discussing the ongoing earthquakes near Santorini and Amorgos, the government announced that it would maintain a state of alert and called on the population to follow official instructions.
Residents were advised to avoid abandoned buildings and to avoid driving on routes prone to landslides.
Experts say the recent tremors are unlikely to trigger an eruption, but a stronger earthquake is still possible, and precautions aim to “limit the impact of a stronger earthquake” as even a small earthquake in a crowded area could cause panic and people could be injured.
A general alert has been issued for the Southern Aegean Fire Service and rescue teams have been dispatched to Santorini.
Aegean Airlines announced that it will operate three additional flights to and from Santorini on Monday and Tuesday to facilitate travel for residents and visitors, following a request from the Greek Ministry of Civil Protection.