The intense seismic activity recorded in recent hours in the sea area of Anydros, between Thira and Amorgos, has put the relevant authorities on heightened alert. The Fire Department, responding to the developments, has already carried out targeted actions to reinforce civil protection on the Cyclades islands.

In this context, the Regional Fire Service of the Southern Aegean has been placed on full alert, with the Regional Commander having gone to Thira to coordinate operations. At the same time, specially trained rescue teams from EMAK, along with a rescue dog and specialized mountain rescue units (EMODE), have been airlifted to Santorini.

Additionally, this morning a Bell helicopter arrived on the island carrying a team of drone operators with their equipment, as well as aerial rescuers, who will assist in the operations to assess the situation and carry out any rescues.

Authorities remain on alert, while the operational readiness of civil protection forces will be adjusted according to the evolution of the situation.

Military Preparation for Santorini
The Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Dimitrios Houppes, will also attend the government meeting at 7:00 PM at the Maximos Mansion. According to information, the outcome of the meeting will determine the type of assistance the Armed Forces will provide going forward.

All measures announced – New emergency meeting
Meanwhile, due to the increased seismic activity in the sea area of Anydros, between Thira and Amorgos, the president of OASP, Professor Efthymios Lekkas, convened a joint session of the two Committees (the Permanent Scientific Committee for Seismic Risk Assessment and Mitigation and the Permanent Scientific Committee for Monitoring the Greek Volcanic Arc of OASP) this afternoon.

The meeting was held at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, with the Minister Vasilis Kikilias, Deputy Minister Evangelos Tournas, the Secretary General of Civil Protection, Vasilis Papageorgiou, and representatives of the leadership of the Fire Department present.

After thoroughly examining all available data, the Committees unanimously concluded:

1. Seismic activity within the caldera remains subdued.
2. Seismic activity remains elevated over the last 48 hours with more than 200 earthquakes in the Anydros region, between Thira and Amorgos (with a maximum magnitude of 4.5).
3. The current seismic activity in the area of the island of Anydros is due to underwater faults with a NE-SW direction and is unrelated to volcanic activity.
4. The Committees recommend the following precautionary measures:

a. Schools will remain closed on Monday, 03/02/2025 in Thira, Anafi, Ios, and Amorgos.
b. Citizens should:

• Avoid large gatherings inside buildings.
• Avoid approaching abandoned buildings.
• Avoid accessing or staying at the ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfo, and the Old Port of Fira.
• Remove any hazardous non-structural vulnerabilities in their buildings and empty swimming pools of water.
• Choose safe routes when traveling through urban areas and the provincial road network, particularly in areas with steep slopes where landslide events may occur.
• Immediately evacuate coastal areas in the event of a strong seismic tremor.

The Committees will meet again tomorrow at noon.

For information on earthquake protection measures, more details can be found on the websites of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (www.oasp.gr) and the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr).