Greek Minister of Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, announced that the country will soon create an evacuation port on the island of Santorini to facilitate the safe evacuation of people in case of a stronger earthquake in this popular tourist destination.
Santorini has been experiencing tens of thousands of weak earthquakes since the end of January, prompting thousands to flee the island and the authorities to ban construction activities, close schools, and shut down nearby islands.
Kikilias stated that Greece will build an evacuation port for the safe docking of passenger ferries until new port infrastructure is completed.
“Along with the new port being prepared on Santorini, a decision has been made to create an evacuation port in a part of the island where passenger ferries can dock during emergencies,” he said.
Increased seismic activity around the islands of Santorini and Amorgos began around January 26. Due to frequent tremors, which may be a precursor to a larger earthquake, thousands of tourists and residents have left the island. Schools on Santorini were closed, and emergency service teams were deployed.
On the evening of February 10, Santorini was hit by the strongest tremor during this period, with a magnitude of 5.3.
