Thousands Flee Santorini Amid Ongoing Earthquake Fears

Santorini is experiencing a significant increase in seismic activity, with over 200 tremors recorded in recent days, prompting a mass exodus of residents and tourists. The quakes, some reaching a magnitude of 4.9, have led to school closures and heightened alerts from local authorities, who advise avoiding certain areas, including small ports. Aegean Airlines has doubled its flight services to help facilitate evacuations, while ferry companies are also increasing their services as demand surges. The mayor of Santorini has called for calm, stating that preparations are precautionary, although many residents express anxiety due to the frequency of the tremors. Experts predict that the seismic activity could continue for weeks, emphasizing that the earthquakes appear to be tectonic rather than volcanic. Despite the situation, local officials note that permanent residents are generally accustomed to such tremors, while visitors are more likely to leave the island for safety.