How can Brits stay safe in Santorini as earthquakes strike amid state of emergency

Santorini has been deed by hundreds of earthquakes this weeks, with a 5.4 magnitude earthquake being the biggest to deed the land truthful far, causing thousands of radical to evacuate

Santorini, a gem amongst Greece's islands, has been rattled by a important 5.4 magnitude earthquake this week, representing the astir almighty quake to onslaught the beloved tourer destination to date. With implicit 200 aftershocks recorded recently, concerns person arisen astir the information of visiting the island, which attracted an unprecedented 3.5 cardinal visitors successful 2024.

Greece’s authorities declared a authorities of exigency connected Santorini connected Thursday aft hundreds of undersea earthquakes continued to shingle the edifice island. The ministry of civilian protection’s announcement volition supply authorities faster entree to authorities resources.

It follows a magnitude 5.2 tremor – the astir almighty recorded since enactment started connected January 31 – that struck precocious Wednesday. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis confirmed that aggregate exigency services were already mobilized to enactment the island.

“Fire departments, police, seashore guard, equipped forces, and exigency aesculapian services person instantly reinforced Santorini and surrounding islands with further unit and specialized equipment,” helium told reporters. Despite causing minimal damage, the earthquake enactment has prompted an exodus of thousands of residents and seasonal workers, mostly evacuating to the Greek mainland by ferry.

Experts accidental the seismic enactment is unrelated to volcanic enactment successful the Aegean Sea, but are inactive incapable to accidental whether the swarm could pb up to a much almighty earthquake. The unsocial crescent-shaped isle owes its chiseled signifier to a volcanic eruption immoderate 3,500 years ago.

What is the existent question advice?

In effect to the situation, the UK's Foreign Office has issued guidance: "The Greek Ministry of Civil Protection has issued proposal for Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, pursuing accrued seismic enactment successful the area. People are advised not to be ample indoors gatherings and to debar aged oregon abandoned buildings."

"The Greek Ministry advises radical to debar the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos and Old Port (Paleos Limenas) successful the country of Fira and to take harmless routes erstwhile travelling, peculiarly successful areas wherever the landslide hazard is high. In lawsuit of a beardown tremor, radical should instantly depart coastal areas.

"If you are successful the affected areas, you should travel the proposal of the section authorities. For further guidance connected however to hole for earthquakes, delight sojourn the Greek Ministry of Civil Protection (in English)."

Tourists are urged to heed the proposal of section authorities wherever they are.

How casual is it to permission Santorini close now?

Aegean Airlines and Sky Express are presently adding other flights betwixt Santorini and Athens, with the astir affordable one-way summons priced astatine astir €75 (£62). Skyscanner lists 5 flights leaving the land towards Athens today.

Where are the earthquakes hitting?

The earthquake epicenters are concentrated successful a increasing clump betwixt the islands of Santorini, Anafi, Amorgos, and Ios. Experts presumption the underwater determination arsenic a mitigating factor, noting that it importantly reduces the imaginable for wide harm compared to land-based seismic events.

On Santorini, municipal crews cordoned disconnected immoderate areas connected the island’s renowned cliff apical towns that were considered susceptible to imaginable stone slides. Crews of engineers besides inspected schoolhouse buildings that person remained closed each week.

USGS has up-to-date accusation regarding the earthquakes.

What should I bash if I'm caught successful an earthquake?

In the lawsuit of an earthquake oregon tremor, the Greek Civil Protection advises radical to region themselves from buildings, electrical oregon telephone cables, and to usage a briefcase oregon purse to support their heads if possible. If you're successful a vehicle, it's recommended to thrust to an unfastened country and cautiously halt the car, avoiding tunnels, bridges, oregon pedestrian overpasses. If indoors, question structure nether sturdy furnishings similar a array oregon desk, kneel down, and clasp onto the furnishings legs.

If there's nary robust furnishings nearby, kneel successful the centre of the room, lowering your tallness arsenic overmuch arsenic imaginable portion protecting your caput and neck.

Can I cancel my travel to Santorini?

Holiday-goers booked to pitchy disconnected to Santorini successful the upcoming months, yet having 2nd thoughts astir their trip, mightiness find they're retired of luck with question security coverage. The hesitation to question typically falls nether the "disinclination to travel" category, which usually isn't covered.

However, there's a metallic lining if your accommodation has suffered harm and your travel is incapable to proceed arsenic planned. In specified cases, vacation providers typically connection the prime betwixt receiving a afloat refund oregon selecting an alternate getaway.