Earthquakes Shake Santorini and Nearby Islands
Early February 2025 brought a string of earthquakes to Greece’s beloved Cyclades, making islands like Santorini, Anafi, and Ios the center of attention for all the wrong reasons. These tremors, unpredictable and unnerving, left holidaymakers and locals alike trading beach plans for emergency drills. The shakes sent ripples through the whitewashed streets, with buildings rocking gently but not sustaining major damage. Instead, it was the widespread unease and uncertainty that truly disrupted life on the islands.
Seismologists on the ground stressed that the activity originated from undersea fault lines—pretty common in the region—rather than Santorini's famous volcano. That’s a relief, considering how iconic, and closely monitored, the volcano is. Still, with memories of past Mediterranean disasters ever-looming, people couldn’t help but worry about what might come next.
To keep everyone safe, local schools closed for several days. Fire Brigade Brigadier Ioannis Billias laid out the situation: many folks simply didn’t want to risk a night indoors. Cars and open fields became makeshift bedrooms. Tourists huddled together in hotels or considered catching early flights home.
Holiday Plans Disrupted, But Some Stay Calm
The earthquakes quickly made headlines beyond Greece. Embassies from the US and the UK urged their nationals to pay attention to local news, review basic earthquake safety rules, and steer clear of risky areas in case of further aftershocks. Some tour operators paused trips or shifted routes to less affected islands.
Not everyone fled. South Korean tourist Soo Jin Kim shared that she had experienced multiple tremors in a single week, but decided to stick it out, hoping things would stabilize. She admitted feeling anxious but said the situation felt manageable thanks to quick messaging from hotel staff and visible emergency teams. Local restaurant staffer Yiannis Fragiadakis voiced a similar hope: that the buzz would die down and the islands would return to their laid-back pace before the summer crowds arrive.
The contrast was clear. Moroccan-native and long-term resident Nadia Benomar called the situation “totally new” in two decades of living on Santorini, reflecting how even seasoned locals were caught off guard. Yet there was no mass panic, just a sense of wise caution: make contingency plans, listen to officials, and brace for possible aftershocks.
Greece’s seismic risks aren’t new, but the cluster of quakes served as a wake-up call. Earthquake drills were suddenly trending. People swapped tips on the safest places to shelter, and local authorities sent out phone alerts on evacuation procedures.
While the islands avoided major destruction this time, the episode put a spotlight on how natural forces still shape day-to-day life here. For now, official advice is clear. Travelers should double-check local alerts, follow any evacuation orders, and keep their nerves steady if the earth decides to rumble again.
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