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Santorini’s seismic struggle in photos: Life in ghost island amid earthquake fears

An aerial view of the Blue Domed Church and the village of Oia on Santorini Island, where seismic activity has been gradually decreasing, February 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
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An aerial view of the Blue Domed Church and the village of Oia on Santorini Island, where seismic activity has been gradually decreasing, February 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
February 25, 2025 02:49 PM GMT+03:00

Santorini, one of Greece’s most famous tourist destinations, is facing an unprecedented crisis due to continuous seismic activity. The island, known for its iconic white-washed architecture and breathtaking sunsets, is experiencing frequent tremors, leading to concerns about volcanic eruptions and landslides. As a result, many residents have left, and some areas now resemble a ghost town.

Greek authorities and scientists are closely monitoring the situation, using advanced technology to assess risks and implement safety measures.

Here’s a closer look at how the seismic activity is affecting life on Santorini.

A view of the town of Fira on the Greek island of Santorini, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A view of the town of Fira on the Greek island of Santorini, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

The once-bustling streets of Fira now resemble a ghost town as residents flee the island due to earthquake fears.

A cat wandering through Oia village on Santorini Island, where the frequency of earthquakes has been gradually decreasing, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A cat wandering through Oia village on Santorini Island, where the frequency of earthquakes has been gradually decreasing, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

A lone cat roams the empty alleys of Santorini, a once-bustling tourist haven now eerily silent.

A warning sign cautioning about falling rocks near the cliffs in Ammoudi on Santorini Island, where earthquakes continue to occur at a decreasing rate, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A warning sign cautioning about falling rocks near the cliffs in Ammoudi on Santorini Island, where earthquakes continue to occur at a decreasing rate, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

Dust clouds rise after a landslide triggered by seismic activity near Santorini’s steep cliffs.

A damaged construction site, an empty pool, and Nea Kammeni islet on the Greek island of Santorini, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A damaged construction site, an empty pool, and Nea Kammeni islet on the Greek island of Santorini, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

Damage to certain structures on the island have not gone unnoticed.

Workers resuming their tasks in Oia village on Santorini Island, where earthquakes continue to occur at a decreasing rate, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
Workers resuming their tasks in Oia village on Santorini Island, where earthquakes continue to occur at a decreasing rate, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

Professor Efthymios Lekkas warns that the tremors could persist for months, urging continuous monitoring.

Police tape restricting entry to hazardous areas prone to earthquakes and landslides in Oia village on Santorini Island, where seismic activity has been gradually declining, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
Police tape restricting entry to hazardous areas prone to earthquakes and landslides in Oia village on Santorini Island, where seismic activity has been gradually declining, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

Geologists use advanced drone technology to assess terrain stability in landslide-prone areas.

Fallen rocks next to a warning sign in Ammoudi Port, which has been deemed unsafe for use due to the risk of rockfalls and landslides, Santorini Island, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
Fallen rocks next to a warning sign in Ammoudi Port, which has been deemed unsafe for use due to the risk of rockfalls and landslides, Santorini Island, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

Ammoudi Port, one of the most beautiful terminals on the island, faces structural risks due to frequent rockfalls.

A view of empty pools and stagnant bodies of water in Fira, Santorini, Greece, where renovation and construction work has halted, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A view of empty pools and stagnant bodies of water in Fira, Santorini, Greece, where renovation and construction work has halted, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

The island’s white-washed architecture stands resilient, but uncertainty looms over its future as tremors persist.

A door leading to a hotel with Nea Kammeni islet visible in the background on the Greek island of Santorini, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A door leading to a hotel with Nea Kammeni islet visible in the background on the Greek island of Santorini, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

The start of the tourism season has been postponed to May due to ongoing tremors.

A crumpled and broken statue of the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite in Fira, Santorini, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A crumpled and broken statue of the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite in Fira, Santorini, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

With tourism season delayed, many shops and restaurants face economic uncertainty.

A Red Cross vehicle, a rescue dog, and a tent deployed as part of the civil protection emergency response in Santorini, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A Red Cross vehicle, a rescue dog, and a tent deployed as part of the civil protection emergency response in Santorini, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

The Red Cross has placed its emergency teams on standby, prepared to provide aid if needed. Volunteers have been briefed, and medical supplies are stocked in case of evacuations or other urgent needs.

A view of the caldera cliffs in Fira, Santorini, Greece, where renovation and construction work has come to a standstill, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A view of the caldera cliffs in Fira, Santorini, Greece, where renovation and construction work has come to a standstill, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

Students in Santorini and nearby islands stay home as schools remain shut until Feb. 28.

A firefighter from the special disaster response unit walking past temporary emergency tents set up for rescue crews in Fira, Santorini Island, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
A firefighter from the special disaster response unit walking past temporary emergency tents set up for rescue crews in Fira, Santorini Island, Greece, Feb. 21, 2025. (AA Photo)

Civil defense units work with local authorities to assess and mitigate earthquake-related risks.

While seismic activity on Santorini appears to be decreasing, uncertainty continues to loom over the island’s future. Once a thriving tourist hub, the island now grapples with the economic and social impact of ongoing tremors. Many businesses remain closed, renovation projects have stalled, and the start of the tourism season has been delayed.

Authorities and experts remain cautious, closely monitoring the situation with advanced technology to assess risks. Although some residents and workers have started returning, concerns about further quakes and potential landslides persist.

February 25, 2025 02:49 PM GMT+03:00
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