Powerful Earthquake Hits Santorini, Felt in Athens

santorini, greece - Santorini struck by a 5.3 magnitude earthquake, felt in Athens, no injuries reported.

Significant Earthquake Hits Santorini

The Greek island of Santorini was hit by a 5.3 magnitude earthquake on Monday evening, felt as far as the capital, Athens. Luckily, there have been no reports of injuries or serious damage. However, the thousands of earthquakes since January have led to landslides on Santorini, according to the BBC. Residents have warned tourists in various areas not to take photos on steep cliffs.

Last Wednesday, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred. Greece sits on multiple fault lines and is regularly hit by earthquakes. Seismologists warn that it may take weeks or months for the earthquakes to cease.

The region is a highly popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually. It is unknown how many tourists are currently on the island in the Aegean Sea. Out of the 16,000 residents, 11,000 left in a short period last week.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the island on Friday and urged for calm. A state of emergency is in place until early March. Military, fire department, and police units are being deployed preventively. Some measures also apply to the nearby islands of Anafi, Amorgos, and Ios.