The Greek government has declared a state of emergency on Santorini as earthquake tremors continue to shake the island.

Since January 31, more than 800 tremors above magnitude 3 have been recorded, with the strongest reaching 5.2 on February 5. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has extended the emergency order until March 3 and allocated €3 million for evacuation routes.

Thousands of residents, workers, and tourists have left Santorini and nearby islands as over 200 undersea quakes have been detected.

Experts Warn the Earthquake Swarm Could Continue

Greek seismologists remain uncertain about whether the earthquake sequence will lead to a larger quake or gradually subside.

Vassilis K. Karastathis from the National Observatory of Athens stated that there is no sign of the tremors slowing down. The epicenters cluster between Santorini, Amorgos, Ios, and Anafi, making underwater shocks less destructive than land-based quakes.

Many locals are on edge, experiencing tremors every 10 to 20 minutes, heightening fear and uncertainty.

Authorities Issue Safety Warnings and Travel Advisories

Officials have urged residents and visitors to avoid large indoor spaces, unstable buildings, and areas prone to rockslides.

Hotels have been instructed to drain swimming pools to prevent water displacement, which could destabilize buildings during strong tremors.

The UK Foreign Office has updated travel advisories, asking visitors to follow Greek Civil Protection Ministry guidelines and stay away from high-risk areas. Travelers seeking refunds for canceled trips should check insurance policies and airline regulations, as standard policies remain valid for now.

Greek seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos has warned that all scenarios remain open, stressing that the risk levels have increased.