ATHENS (AP) – The Greek government’s chief seismologist said the frequency of earthquakes affecting Santorini and nearby islands has eased in recent days, but that the outlook for continued tremors in the coming weeks remains uncertain.
“Unfortunately, for now, we must wait. These seismic sequences do not end quickly. They follow their own timeline,” seismologist Costas Papazachos told state-run ERT radio.
“Hopefully, this particular sequence will surprise us in a positive way and resolve itself sooner rather than later,” he said. A state of emergency has been declared on Santorini and the nearby islands of Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi after a swarm of undersea earthquakes this month – sometimes felt every few minutes – prompted thousands of residents and workers to move to the Greek mainland.
Schools on the islands remain closed for a third week, while security services have set up rescue teams and backup power generators as part of precautionary measures.
