Magnitude 5.2 earthquake rocks area near Santorini after days of tremors and thousands forced to flee holiday island

A STRONG earthquake has struck betwixt the Greek islands of Amorgos and Santorini aft days of relentless tremors, sending thousands fleeing the fashionable tourer hotspot.

The magnitude 5.2 quake deed astatine 9.09pm section clip connected Wednesday, pursuing 2 smaller tremors conscionable minutes earlier.

It is the astir almighty recorded successful the portion successful caller days, occurring astatine an estimated extent of 5km.

While nary large harm has been reported, authorities are taking nary chances.

More than 11,000 radical person already near Santorini — 7,000 by ferry and 4,000 by aerial — amid increasing fears of a larger quake.

Scientists person warned that seismic enactment could trigger a much almighty tremor, perchance reaching a magnitude of 6, arsenic the portion remains shaken by near-constant aftershocks.

The Interdisciplinary Committee for Risk and Crisis Management astatine the National University of Athens issued an exigency announcement connected Wednesday, informing that "seismicity successful the Santorini-Amorgos portion intensified adjacent more" betwixt February 2 and 5.

More than 1,300 earthquakes were recorded connected February 2 alone, followed by 1,400 the adjacent day.

In total, implicit 6,400 tremors person rattled the country since January 26.

Scientists noted an alarming summation successful quakes supra magnitude 2.5, with 30 recorded successful the aboriginal hours of Wednesday alone.

"It is imaginable that this enactment stimulates the rupture of a important portion of a ample progressive responsibility successful the area, frankincense giving emergence to a main earthquake," the committee warned.

In mentation for the worst, Greek authorities person deployed emergency rescue crews, hunt drones, and sniffer dogs to the island.

Specialised firefighters trained successful earthy disasters are en route, with helicopters connected standby.

The seashore defender and equipped forces person besides been mobilised to assistance susceptible residents who privation to evacuate.

Greek Climate and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias reassured residents that exigency teams were successful place.

"Units of firefighters specialised successful earthy disasters are being despatched to Santorini," helium said.

But arsenic the land empties, fears of looting person surged.

Police patrols person been intensified, with roadblocks acceptable up successful the capital, Fira, to forestall break-ins.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sought to calm nerves astatine a civilian extortion gathering connected Wednesday.

"First and foremost, the authorities trusts subject and scientists. We person done this successful different crises," helium said.

"All plans person been implemented. Forces person been moved to Santorini and the different islands, truthful that we are acceptable for immoderate eventuality."

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