As the picturesque islands of Greece's Aegean Sea experience an unusual series of earthquakes, intrepid tourists are finding themselves in an unusual but serene Santorini. The recent seismic activity has driven many residents and seasonal workers from the Cycladic Islands, but a few brave tourists relished having Santorini's iconic views almost entirely to themselves.
Since Friday, the region has recorded hundreds of quakes, some reaching magnitudes of up to 5. This has led to cracks in older buildings, though fortunately, no injuries have been reported. Local authorities responded by closing schools on 13 islands, significantly up from the initial four, and restricting travel and construction work in certain areas of Santorini.
Efthimios Lekkas, the head of Greece's Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, reassured residents and tourists by explaining that the epicenter of the quakes is moving northward, reducing any potential threat to Santorini and dismissing direct connections to the area's dormant volcanic activity. He added, This may last several days or weeks, but we cannot predict the duration.
Despite the closures and disruptions, Santorini's main town, Fira, remains a remarkable sight with its narrow, whitewashed streets along the cliffs. Usually bustling with visitors, the streets are now quiet, allowing the few tourists present, particularly groups from Asian countries, to appreciate the site in peace.
Joseph Liu, a tourist from Guangzhou, expressed his admiration: This place is amazing, really beautiful. Just like I saw in the program: the mystery, the scenery. Although initially informed about the seismic activity before arrival, he was not deterred from experiencing Santorini's allure.
One local, Panagiotis Hatzigeorgiou, a retired police officer and ship worker, decided to stay on the island despite offers to relocate to Athens. Older residents are used to the earthquakes, but it's different with quakes every 2-3 minutes, he explained. Still, the key is not to worry. Now we can enjoy our music and coffee peacefully.
In the Greek capital, Athens, government officials have been engaged in daily high-level meetings to monitor the situation, receiving updates from island representatives to ensure all necessary precautions and measures are in place.
For those undeterred by the rumblings beneath, Santorini offers a unique and quieter beauty. The calm streets, stunning sunsets over the caldera, and the chance to explore without the usual crowds might offer an unexpected reward for their willingness to embrace a bit of adventure during times of natural unpredictability.