Santorini. 10,000 people have already escaped. It could be a new volcano

On Friday, Greek Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitsotakis made a visit to the island. As he said, we must defend the reputation of Santorni, which is the legendary direction of tourist trips. – I am here to clearly show that the state is standing at your side – emphasized the prime minister at a meeting with local authorities. He noted that the government must prepare for the worst scenario, hoping that everything would be fine. – Santorini is a legendary direction of trips and it is our duty to defend the island's reputation – he added, quoted by Protothema.

– Balance must be maintained: we must be present and active, we cannot allow the development of tragic scenarios – continued the head of government. “Our priority is the safety of residents and tourists,” Mitsotakis assured. He also expressed the hope that soon life on the island would return to normality.

On Thursday, the island authorities announced an extraordinary situation in connection with underground shocks that have been lasting for several days. During this period, several thousand shocks were recorded between the Santorini and Amorgos Islands. The strongest – with magnitude 5.2 – occurred on Wednesday evening. To date, over 10,000 inhabitants and employees have evacuated from the island.

Accompanying the Prime Minister prof. Konstantinos Synolakis did not rule out that we can witness the formation of a new volcano. Special devices will be installed on Santorini to measure changes in water level in the case of tsunami.

“People who live in the area of ​​seismic activity are aware of the associated threat,” said Dimitris Kampanos, head of the ecological organization Dive in Action based on the Greek island of Santorini. – The strength and frequency of shocks recorded since the end of January surprises not only us, but also scientists – emphasized the head of the organization, which collects data on flora and marine fauna and underwater rock formations. The group also takes samples, installs research stations and cleans the sea of ​​garbage. – We observe the situation under water. We see every change. There was no rock falling out. The wreck of the ship, which years ago settled on the cliff, as he stood, it stands – emphasized the interlocutor.

The expert admitted that there were already stronger shocks in the Cycladz Islands than those recorded currently, but they were not found at such a high frequency. He noted, however, that Magnituda 4 or 5, recently recorded, is higher than forecast. Kampanos pointed out that the Cycladz Islands were created as a result of “a huge crisis in the Aegean Sea.” – So now we are dealing with another such crisis. Who knows if another island will appear? Greek wondered.

Seismic intensification has been going on in the Cycladz Islands from January 26. Scientists believe, the likelihood of a strong earthquake is low.

– Of course – no one will overcome nature. Nature has its secrets. However, from a scientific and statistical point of view, it seems that we currently have the peak of this situation and there will be no stronger shock – continued Kampanos. – I am aware of where I live. My family and children are here. Everyone who lives in the seismic area is aware of the threats – he admitted.