Schools have closed and emergency crews deployed on the volcanic Greek island of Santorini after a spike in seismic activity raised concerns about a potentially powerful earthquake.
Precautions were also ordered on several nearby Aegean Sea islands – all popular summer vacation destinations – after nearly 300 tremors of up to 4.9 in magnitude were recorded between the islands of Santorini and Amorgos since Friday, Jan 31.
While Greek experts say the quakes are not linked to Santorini’s volcano, they acknowledge that the pattern of seismic activity is cause for concern.
Amid fears of a bigger earthquake that could cause a tsunami, people have been advised to avoid the shoreline and derelict buildings, to empty swimming pools and to refrain from gathering in large numbers in enclosed spaces. The civil protection ministry said schools would be shut as a precautionary measure on Monday
In 1956 the island sustained extensive damage after being hit by an earthquake in excess of seven on the Richter scale, which caused a tsunami.
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