Santorini Shaken by a 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Amid Prolonged Seismic Activity

The usually bustling island of Santorini experienced a dramatic change on Monday as dark, grey clouds rolled in over the deserted tourist hotspot, coinciding with a 5.3-magnitude earthquake. Known for its scenic white villages, the island has been eerily quiet since a swarm of quakes began in late January, forcing shops to shutter, schools to close, and residents to evacuate in fear of what might come next.

Local authorities declared a state of emergency for at least a month, with government officials urging calm as they promised that state mechanisms were in place to manage the crisis. Scientists have observed an "earthquake swarm" affecting Santorini and neighboring islands in the Aegean Sea and warned that this seismic activity could persist for months, leaving the possibility of an even larger quake looming over the area.

The fear was palpable as over 11,000 people—both residents and visitors—fled the island in the past week, with some boarding boats and others relying on newly increased ferry and flight services. While some tourists, like Josephi Liu from Guangzhou, marveled at the island's beauty despite the tremors, long-time locals and older residents expressed mixed feelings; accustomed to occasional tremors, they now face an unsettling rhythm of earthquakes occurring every few minutes.

Adding to the concerns are the safety issues linked to construction on the island's soft, volcanic soil. Experts, including a respected geology professor, criticized the decades-long development boom that saw luxury hotels and other buildings spring up on unstable coastal cliffs. The ongoing tremors have already resulted in rock falls and landslides, causing damage to structures and stirring worries about the long-term viability of these constructions.

In response to the unfolding situation, the Greek government has announced support measures to help preserve jobs and sustain the tourist-dependent local economy. Businesses affected by the crisis are allowed to suspend contracts until early March, with the government providing compensation to those whose contracts are on hold. Hospitals, too, are preparing by conducting emergency drills and setting up outdoor medical facilities, ensuring readiness in case of a more severe event.