Greece: Santorini declares state of emergency amid ongoing seismic activity

Greek authorities have declared a state of emergency on Santorini following a surge in seismic activity, including a 5.2-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday—the strongest recorded on the island since thousands of tremors began last week, The Guardian reported.

The emergency measures, requested by Santorini’s mayor Nikos Zorzos, will remain in effect until March 3, allowing for increased military involvement in crisis management.

Experts warn that the geological unrest could persist for weeks, prompting more than 12,000 residents and visitors to flee the island in what some describe as an “unofficial mass evacuation.”

Seismologists remain uncertain about the earthquake sequence, with some fearing a larger tremor or tsunami, while others suggest the activity may be subsiding.