The Greek island of Santorini has been rattled by a further earthquake.
The latest quake, one of hundreds to hit the volcanic island in recent weeks, is the strongest so far with a magnitude of 5.3.
Medical staff staged a hospital evacuation drill as scientists said it is unclear whether the weeks of highly unusual seismic activity precede a larger quake.
Several more quakes with magnitudes between 4 and 4.8 hit on Tuesday with epicentres between the islands of Amorgos and Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations.
An empty swimming pool is seen in a group of clifftop buildings in Oia on Santorini (Petros Giannakouris/AP)
Authorities last week declared a state of emergency on Santorini, where the incessant seismic activity has prompted the deployment of rescue crews with drones and a sniffer dog and put the coastguard and navy vessels on standby.
Thousands of residents and visitors have left the island, while schools on Santorini and nearby islands have been ordered to remain closed for the week.
Deputy health minister Marios Themistokleous said specialised doctors had been sent to Santorini’s hospital, where tents have been set up in the courtyard as a precaution.
Medical staff practised an evacuation drill, running outside while wheeling stretchers with people posing as patients.
Scientists have been closely monitoring the earthquake swarm and the two volcanoes in the area.
They say it is unclear whether the dozens of quakes each day will grow or continue for several weeks or months.
Although Greece lies in a highly seismically active part of the world and earthquakes are frequent, it is very rare for any part of the country to experience such an intense barrage of earthquakes for such an extended period of time.