Newsroom
Santorini, usually bustling with life, is now a place of anxiety and uncertainty. As the Cyclades continue to be shaken by relentless seismic activity, thousands of residents and visitors have made the difficult decision to leave the island—at least for now.
In the past 24 hours alone, more than 6,000 people have fled, seeking safety until the situation stabilizes. On Monday night, the port was a scene of urgency, with families, workers, and even some tourists boarding ferries bound for Piraeus. Many carried only what they could grab quickly, unsure of when—or if—they would return.
The emergency ferry "Kissamos" docked to accommodate the exodus, its decks packed with passengers who had no clear plan, just the hope of escaping the uncertainty. Meanwhile, Santorini’s airport saw a similar rush, with departing flights fully booked as anxious travelers scrambled to leave.
For those who have stayed behind, fear remains palpable. Many residents of Fira chose to sleep in their cars or outside their homes, too afraid to stay indoors as aftershocks continued to rattle the island. The strongest tremors have reached 4.9 on the Richter scale, and since February 1, more than 550 quakes have been recorded in the sea area between Santorini, Amorgos, and Ios.
Authorities are closely monitoring the seismic activity, but for now, Santorini’s future remains uncertain. What is usually one of Greece’s most vibrant destinations has, for the moment, become a place of fear and departure.
*With info from Iefimerida.gr
