Greek Islands Face Rare Seismic Swarm with Thousands of Earthquakes

Santorini and Amorgos declared in a state of emergency as over 12,000 tremors since late January cause evacuations and disrupt tourism.

Santorini and Amorgos have been declared in a state of emergency due to over 12,000 earthquakes recorded in the Aegean region since January 26, with magnitudes ranging from 1 to 5.3.
The seismic activity, described as highly unusual, has led to the evacuation of more than 13,000 residents and tourists from Santorini, leaving the island largely deserted.
Authorities have mobilized emergency services, including rescue crews, the military, and additional medical staff, while hospitals have conducted evacuation drills as a precaution.
Scientists remain uncertain whether the ongoing earthquake swarm signals a larger quake or will continue with smaller tremors for weeks or months.
The Greek government has announced temporary financial support for workers and businesses on Santorini, a heavily tourism-dependent economy, to mitigate the economic impact of the crisis.