Strong earthquake near Santorini after days of tremors

The bad weather means that Santorini’s ferry to the port of Piraeus, near Athens, will not work. Adverse conditions are expected to continue in the next few days.

Many travelers remain in the port of Santorini to board the emergency ferry routes that have been established, since many families want to leave the island.

The Santorini schools, and other neighboring islands, including Anafi, Paros, Naxos and Mykonos, will remain closed until Friday, when the authorities will make a decision on when they can reopen.

The island has been reinforced with firefighters and medical personnel of Naxos, another island.

All hospital employees are waiting to help those who have remained on the island with all licenses and days canceled.

Ambulance units have also arrived to reinforce the service of the island and help the armed forces are also expected.

According to the planning of the Ministry of Health, in case of a need for emergency personnel, the first thing that will happen is that doctors and nurses move from other islands. In case of greater need in Santorini, Athens doctors will also be sent to the island.

A backup telecommunications station is being established in the City of Santorini, which will be activated in case of a large earthquake and a telecommunications problem.

Vassilis Kikilias, the Minister of Climate and Civil Protection, said that the Natural Disaster Specialized Fire Units were being sent to Santorini. Equipment with special dogs and a mobile operations center have also been sent to the island, while helicopters are waiting in case of emergency.

Kikilias also said that the Coast Guard and the Armed Forces would be available to help vulnerable people who wish to evacuate.

Earlier on Wednesday, Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave an optimistic tone at a meeting of civil protection experts.

“First, the State trusts science and scientists. We have done this in other crises,” said the prime minister.

“All plans have been implemented. The forces have moved to Santorini and the other islands, so that we are ready for any eventuality,” Mitsotakis emphasized.

“We will continue with the good hope that things will improve, and the phenomenon will decrease.”

Mitsotakis concluded his statement with an appeal to the islanders to “keep calm and cooperate with the authorities.”

“I understand the fear of being in Santorini, which constantly trembled,” he added, emphasizing that the situation would be evaluated daily.

The Chamber of Commerce of Thira requested in a letter to the government ministries that companies on the island are suspended and emergency support measures are taken with which during COVID-19.

“The consequences for the local economy are incalculable, the central markets are weakening and companies are losing customers and income,” said the letter.

“The island is deserted, since yesterday they had gone to 11,000 permanent residents, which is expected to increase to 14,000 for the end of this week.”

“Therefore, because the local economy is collapsing and the situation worsens constantly, we believe that, especially for Santorini, an emergency state must be introduced.”