Holidaymakers in their thousands have fled the Greek Island of Santorini, following a 5.4 scale earthquake – the biggest to strike the popular destination.
Schools had already been closed and residents were told to avoid ports and drain swimming pools in anticipation of the main quake, which hit this afternoon. In recent days more than 6,000 residents have left the island.
Over 200 undersea earthquakes have been recorded in the past three days.
One resident has said: "Everything is closed. No one works now. The whole island has emptied."
Another has said: "I have never felt anything like this and with such frequency - an earthquake every 10 or 20 minutes. Everyone is anxious even if some of us hide it not to cause panic, but everyone is worried."
Government officials have met met throughout the weekend and on Monday to assess the situation. School have been ordered to shut on the nearby islands of Amorgos, Anafi and Ios.
Greek seismologist Gerasimos Papadopoulos has cautioned that the growing tremors could could indicate a larger impending event.
"All scenarios remain open," Papadopoulos wrote in an online post. "The number of tremors has increased, magnitudes have risen, and epicenters have shifted northeast. While these are tectonic quakes, not volcanic, the risk level has escalated."
Greek experts have clarified the quakes with a magnitude of 4.8 are not linked to Santorini's volcano however they note the patter of seismic activity is cause for concern.
In Santorini's main town of Fira the authorities have designates gathering points for residents in face of a potential evacuation.
Mayor Nikos Zorzos emphasized the preventive nature of the measures and said: "We are obliged to make preparations. But being prepared for something does not mean it will happen"
He added: "Sometimes, the way the situation is reported, those reports may contain exaggerations... so people should stay calm."
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