A night filled with anxiety and uncertainty was experienced by the residents of Santorini, following the ongoing seismic activity that has put the island on high alert. Many locals, fearing new strong tremors, chose to spend the night outside—either in their cars or in designated safe zones indicated by the municipal authorities.

Santorini: Residents Sleeping in Cars – Fear After the Seismic Tremors

A significant number of citizens gathered near the hospital, where an EMAK (Special Disaster Response Unit) team has been stationed for immediate intervention in case of emergency. Others assembled at the Mesaria stadium and in open spaces to feel safer.

The Map of Seismic Activity in Santorini

The intense concern was evident on Sunday night when, shortly after 9:00 PM, long lines formed at travel agencies. Frightened by the consecutive earthquakes, many island residents rushed to book tickets to leave, leading to near-full capacity on ships and planes.

A telling sign of the situation is the skyrocketing price of airline tickets, with the last available seats on the Santorini–Athens route reaching €200, making immediate departure even more difficult.

Meanwhile, schools in Santorini, Amorgos, Paros, Antiparos, and Naxos will remain closed today by decision of the island mayors, as a precaution due to the increased seismic activity in the Cyclades.

The decision affects all educational institutions of all levels, including municipal nurseries and daycare centers.

Additionally, all scheduled events in indoor venues have been canceled.

Seismic activity continues, with experts closely monitoring its development, while island authorities remain on high alert for any eventuality.

Official Statement from the Seismic Risk Committee on the Earthquakes in Santorini

Due to the increased seismic activity in the underwater area of Anidros, between Thira and Amorgos, the president of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (OASP), Professor Efthymios Lekkas, convened another joint meeting of two committees (the Permanent Scientific Committee for Seismic Risk Assessment and Reduction and the Permanent Scientific Committee for Monitoring the Greek Volcanic Arc of OASP) on Sunday afternoon.

The meeting was held at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, in the presence of Minister Vassilis Kikilias, Deputy Minister Evangelos Tournas, General Secretary for Civil Protection Vassilis Papageorgiou, and representatives of the Fire Brigade leadership.

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

1. Seismic activity within the caldera remains in decline.
2. Seismic sequences have been notably high in the past 48 hours, with over 200 earthquakes recorded in the Anidros area between Thira and Amorgos (with a maximum magnitude of 4.5).
3. The current seismic activity in the Anidros region is due to underwater faults oriented northeast-southwest and is not related to volcanic activity.
4. The committees recommend the following precautionary measures:
   • Schools in Thira, Anafi, Ios, and Amorgos should remain closed on Monday, 03/02/2025.
   • Citizens should:
     • Avoid large gatherings inside buildings.
     • Steer clear of abandoned buildings.
     • Avoid access to and stay away from the ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfos, and the Old Port of Fira.
     • Remove hazardous non-structural elements from their buildings and empty water from swimming pools.
     • Use safe routes when traveling within the urban area and on provincial roads, especially in places with steep terrain where landslides may occur.
     • Immediately evacuate coastal areas in case of a strong earthquake.

Municipality of Thira: Designated Gathering Points for the Population in Case of Emergency

The Municipality of Thira has issued guidance for residents and visitors in case an organized precautionary evacuation becomes necessary.

According to the special civil protection plan of the Municipality of Thira, designated population gathering points have been established for an organized precautionary evacuation if needed, as follows:

• For the areas of: Oia – Finikia – Koloumbos → Baxedes Plain
• For the areas of: Imerovigli – Vourvoulos → Vourvoulos Plain
• For the areas of: Fira – Firostefani – Kontochori – Karterados → Fira Plain between Exo Gialos Fira – Exo Gialos Karterados
• For the areas of: Vothonas – Mesaria – Monolithos – Episkopi Gonia – Kamari → Plain west of the airport
• For the areas of: Pyrgos – Exo Gonia – Megalochori → Plain south of Pyrgos and east of Megalochori
• For the areas of: Emporio – Perissa – Vlychada – Agios Georgios → Agios Nikolaos Area – Plain northwest of Emporio
• For the area of: Akrotiri → Plain southeast of Akrotiri
• For the area of: Thirasia → Plain between the villages of Manolas and Potamos

Municipality of Amorgos: Instructions in Case of Earthquake and Tsunami

The Municipality of Amorgos has issued new guidelines for citizens, providing information on the measures in place in the event of a major earthquake or tsunami.

In detail, the Municipality’s statement reads:

Following our previous update and based on Decision No. 1/2025 of the Local Coordination Civil Protection Authority of the Municipality of Amorgos, as well as the meeting held today at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection regarding the increased seismic activity in the area between Amorgos and Santorini:

• The designated gathering points per settlement in case of emergency are as follows:
  • Chora Amorgos: Large parking lot before the helipad / Stadium-parking lot of Kalogeriko
  • Katapola: Parking lot near the olive press and PPC in Rachidi / Pera Rachidi
  • Ormos & Potamos Aegialis: Transportation Agency area before the Tholaria-Lagada intersection
  • Tholaria: Tholaria Square
  • Lagada: Kaminaki parking lot / Upper Square parking lot
  • Kamari: Playground
  • Vroutsi: “Giorgalini” parking lot
  • Kolofana-Kalotaritissa: Courtyard of Agia Paraskevi (parking area)
  • Arkesini: Square at the Cooperative (Distrata) & Rachoula Square
• Citizens are advised to:
  • Remove their vehicles from the land areas of Katapola and Aegialis ports and the coastal roads today, Sunday 02/02/2025, and tomorrow, Monday 03/02/2025.
  • Keep fishing and recreational boats docked for the next 24 hours and avoid setting sail.
  • Avoid traveling near dangerous or dilapidated buildings and beaches, particularly on the southern coastline and at Kalotaritissa Beach, which is closest to the seismic zone.
• In the event of a tsunami:
  • You will receive an alert via Civil Protection messaging (112) and church bells ringing in parish churches.
  • Although not all earthquakes trigger tsunamis, stay alert.
  • Watch for any significant rise or fall in sea level—this is a natural warning sign. Move away from the shore and head inland to higher ground.
  • A small tsunami in one area can turn into a large one miles away. Stay away from the coast.
  • A tsunami consists of multiple waves, so do not return until authorities confirm it is safe.
  • Do not approach the shore to watch an incoming tsunami. If you can see it, it may already be too late to escape.