A second Greek island, Amorgos, popular with British holidaymakers, has declared a state of emergency as the south-eastern Aegean Sea continues to be rocked by earthquakes.
This follows a similar declaration on Santorini on February 7, after an unusual number of tremors were detected in an undersea area near these islands and the islands of Ios and Anafi.
The state of emergency will allow for the rapid deployment of emergency services and resources. Thousands have already been evacuated from Santorini.
Despite initial hopes that the seismic activity was subsiding, a series of magnitude five earthquakes has reignited concerns, with the epicentre seemingly shifting north towards Amorgos.
Since January 26, approximately 12,000 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than one have been recorded, according to the University of Athens’ crisis management committee.
While Greece is located in a seismically active region and frequently experiences earthquakes, such a prolonged and intense series of tremors is highly unusual.
The UK Foreign Office has issued a new travel update for Brits planning to visit the Cycladic islands, including popular destinations such as Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios, and Amorgos, due to ongoing seismic activity.
The updated guidance warns: “The area around the Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, is currently experiencing frequent earthquakes which may continue for several weeks.”
“The Greek authorities advised people in those areas not to attend large indoors gatherings, to avoid old or abandoned buildings and the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos and Old Port (Paleos Limenas) in the area of Fira and to choose safe routes when travelling, particularly in areas where the landslide risk is high.
In case of a strong tremor, people should immediately depart coastal areas”, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Additionally, the advisory includes: “On 6 February the Greek Ministry of Civil Protection declared a State of Emergency on Santorini until 3 March, to allow its emergency services to facilitate access to and mobilisation of resources to prepare. If you are in the affected areas, you should keep up to date with and follow the advice of local authorities and emergency services.”