Santorini: Homes and businesses fortified with sandbags - Fears for strong earthquake and tsunami

By decision of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection, the Municipality of Thira has been declared in a state of emergency until March 1, due to the intense seismic activity of the last few days.

Tomorrow, Friday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will travel to the island to see the prevailing conditions firsthand.

It is recalled that at least 15 earthquakes of magnitude 4 and above occurred offshore between Santorini and Amorgos from 12 pm to 8 am on Thursday.

According to new data provided today by the Interdisciplinary Committee for Risk and Crisis Management of NKUA, yesterday alone, February 5, over 120 earthquakes occurred in the region, with the largest one measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, while a total of 19 were of magnitude above 4 on the Richter scale.

NKUA: The risk of more intense landslides in Santorini

Also, in their research they make special mention of landslides in Santorini and their history.

“The landslides that have occurred from time to time in Santorini, which is particularly susceptible to these phenomena, vary in the type and volume of unstable materials that are mobilized. They include falls and overturns of rocky blocks, and landslides.”

According to experts, the “developing seismic activity may lead to more intense landslide phenomena, especially in the event of a stronger earthquake.”

Fearing a tsunami

The largest earthquake that occurred these days was yesterday, Wednesday night, at 5.1 on the Richter scale, and was particularly felt by the island’s residents.

However, in addition to the constant seismic vibrations that are a daily problem for residents, there is another danger lurking, that of the tidal wave, as with a strong earthquake of over 6 on the Richter scale, it is very likely that a tsunami will hit the surrounding islands.

For this reason, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection had issued an announcement and assembly points in case of an earthquake and tsunami on the islands of Santorini and Amorgos.

Embankment with sandbags at the PPC factory

At the same time, at the PPC factory, which is located in Fira and quite close to the sea, the managers of the facility, fearing a tsunami, decided to create an embankment with large sandbags, in order to close the central iron door of the complex and prevent the tidal wave from passing inside.