ATHENS- Greek authorities have warned of an increase in seismic activity around the Aegean tourist island of Santorini, advising people to avoid four ports, empty their pools, refrain from gathering in indoor spaces and shut schools.
More than 200 tremors have been registered since Friday between the volcanic islands of Santorini and Amorgos, the civil protection ministry said in a statement on Sunday, citing experts tasked with assessing earthquake risks and monitoring Greece’s volcanic arc.
The experts, according to the ministry, have concluded that the tremors are not linked with volcanic activity and have proposed precautionary measures including the Feb. 3 school closures, which have been extended to the islands of Amorgos, Ios and Anafi.
They have urged people on Santorini to stay away from the small ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos and the harbor of Fira, which serves mainly cruise ships. Many of Santorini’s ports are surrounded by sheer rock faces.
In Athens, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired an emergency meeting on the issue, as Santorini authorities prepared for a potential evacuation.
