The picturesque Greek island of Santorini, renowned for its stunning sunsets and whitewashed villages, is facing a crisis as a swarm of earthquakes has rattled the region, forcing evacuations and raising concerns about the future of its vital tourism industry. Over 200 tremors have been recorded in recent days, some exceeding magnitude 4.0, causing widespread anxiety among residents and tourists, report Greek City Times and Travel And Tour World platform. Seismic Activity Prompts Mass Exodus The earthquakes, centered between Santorini and Amorgos in the Aegean Sea, began on Friday (January 31, 2025) and have continued relentlessly, with reports indicating that tremors occur every few minutes, according to The Telegraph. “The earthquakes are non-stop, every five minutes,” stated Tzanis Lignos, 35, who was securing ferry tickets for his family to leave. “It’s constant. The whole island is traumatized. We couldn’t sleep. There was so much noise. We kept running outside. We can’t stay here any longer”. With growing fears of stronger quakes, thousands of residents and tourists are departing Santorini. According to The Pinnacle Gazette, ferries and flights are overwhelmed with demand, and Aegean Airlines has added extra flights to accommodate the exodus on Monday, February 3. The Greek Civil Protection Ministry has advised people to avoid unnecessary travel on the island, as roads are increasingly congested with departing vehicles. According to The Guardian, a ferry captain described the rush to leave as “chaotic,” with families abandoning their vacation plans overnight. “People are afraid this is just the beginning,” he said. “The earthquakes keep coming, and no one wants to be trapped here if it gets worse”. Authorities have closed schools on Santorini and nearby islands like Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi as a precaution. Officials have also instructed residents and hotels to drain swimming pools and avoid large indoor gatherings to minimize potential hazards, reports Fox Weather. A Region Prone to Seismic Unrest Santorini’s location on the Hellenic Volcanic Arc makes it vulnerable to tectonic activity, and the Mediterranean region is seismically active due to the convergence of the African and Eurasian plates. While experts stress that the current activity is not linked to volcanic eruptions, the island’s geological history includes a catastrophic eruption in 1600 BC that shaped its present caldera. Seismologist Efthymios Lekkas has warned that the tremors could continue for days or even weeks. “We anticipate this activity will persist, possibly resulting in a prolonged series of seismic events,” he stated. The last eruption in the area occurred in 1950, and a devastating earthquake in 1956 triggered a tsunami, causing significant damage. According to Costas Papazachos, a professor of geophysics and seismology, the worst-case scenario could involve a quake reaching magnitude 6.0 or higher, with the potential to cause severe damage. The Greek Institute of Geodynamics is closely monitoring the situation, though officials emphasize there is no immediate threat of a volcanic eruption. Tourism Industry on Edge Santorini, which attracts approximately 3.4 million visitors annually, has been severely impacted by the crisis. The island’s permanent population of about 20,000 relies heavily on tourism, and the uncertainty surrounding the seismic activity is raising concerns about future bookings. “It’s unnerving. We feel them all the time, even the small ones. It’s hard to relax, and business has definitely slowed down,” said Maria Kypriotaki, a local shop owner. Hotels and restaurants are reporting mass cancellations, and some businesses have chosen to temporarily close as the situation unfolds. Greek officials have deployed emergency crews and established evacuation assembly points across the island. Authorities have also warned residents and visitors to avoid ports with high landslide risks, further complicating travel plans. This developing situation serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between tourism development and natural hazards in seismically active regions. As authorities continue to monitor the situation, the immediate focus remains on ensuring public safety while preparing for potential longer-term impacts on one of Europe’s most beloved travel destinations.