A devastating earthquake swarm has left the Greek island of Santorini deserted by nine out of ten residents. The picturesque whitewashed villages, once teeming with tourists, are now empty after over 10,000 tremors in two weeks. Shops and restaurants have been boarded up, schools closed, and towns nearly emptied due to fears of a looming natural disaster.
The strongest earthquake yet struck the island on Monday, measuring 5.3-magnitude, as scientists warn that the “earthquake swarm” could last for months. A state of emergency was declared by Greek authorities, with the prime minister urging calm and promising support from the state mechanism.
Tourists who stayed took advantage of the situation, weathering the consistent tremors to enjoy the island’s stunning views. However, older residents fear the quakes differently, as they are used to earthquakes but now find it unbearable every two to three minutes. “It’s not the same this time,” said retired police officer Panagiotis Hatzigeorgiou.
The threat of a more severe earthquake hovers over those remaining on the island, with hospitals rehearsing emergency evacuation drills and rock falls causing minor damage to buildings. The construction boom in recent decades has raised concerns about the safety of these buildings.
As the Greek government announced temporary support measures for those employed on Santorini, businesses can suspend workers’ contracts until March 3 while layoffs are prohibited. Those affected will be entitled to state compensation up to €534.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/santorini-island-earthquakes-greece-deserted-b2696328.html