The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Greece, recommending caution for tourists traveling to Santorini and surrounding islands due to a recent surge in earthquake activity.
The UK Foreign Office has issued updated travel advice for Greece as the country grapples with a surge in seismic activity. The island of Santorini, a popular tourist destination renowned for its picturesque white houses and azure rooftops, has been experiencing hundreds of tremors in the past week, prompting fears of a major earthquake. On Wednesday, the island was shaken by a powerful 5.2 magnitude earthquake, the strongest recorded during this recent episode.
The Greek government, in response to the escalating situation, declared a state of emergency until March 3rd. This declaration empowers emergency services to expedite the mobilization of resources and ensure preparedness. As a precautionary measure, an estimated 11,000 residents and tourists have evacuated the island. In 2023 alone, Santorini welcomed 3.4 million tourists. The Foreign Office's updated travel advice cautions holidaymakers about the 'frequent' earthquakes and recommends adhering to the guidance provided by local authorities and emergency services. The advisory specifically highlights the Cycladic islands of Santorini, Anafi, Ios, and Amorgos as areas experiencing heightened seismic activity, which may persist for several weeks. Among the safety recommendations, the advisory urges travelers to avoid large indoor gatherings, steer clear of old or dilapidated structures, and exercise caution around the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos, and Old Port in Fira. Furthermore, it advises choosing safe routes, particularly in regions susceptible to landslides. In the event of a strong tremor, individuals are instructed to immediately evacuate coastal areas. Despite the concerning tremor activity, there have been no reported injuries or significant damage thus far. A similar period of seismic activity on Santorini in 2011, which lasted for 14 months, did not result in any volcanic disturbances
EARTHQUAKE GREECE SANTORINI TRAVEL ADVISORY UK FOREIGN OFFICE
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