Greek authorities have mobilized rescue teams and emergency resources to the island of Santorini following a surge in seismic activity that has triggered concerns about a potential major earthquake. Officials have recorded over 200 tremors in the past 48 hours, prompting precautionary measures, including school closures and advisories for residents and tourists to avoid shorelines and unstable structures.

Experts emphasize that the tremors are tectonic rather than volcanic in origin, but the scale of activity remains significant. Many of the recorded quakes have ranged between 4.0 and 4.5 in magnitude, with the strongest occurring in waters between Santorini and Amorgos.

Santorini, one of Greece’s most visited tourist destinations, sits in an area with a history of seismic and volcanic activity. A catastrophic earthquake in 1956 caused extensive damage and triggered a tsunami, heightening current concerns. As a precaution, rescue teams have set up temporary shelters in elevated locations, including parking lots and sports courts. Authorities have advised people to move inland in case of a tsunami threat.

Greek officials have also extended emergency preparations to nearby islands, including Amorgos, Ios, and Anafi. Reports indicate that some foreign workers have already started leaving Santorini for the mainland, and ferry companies have observed increased travel to the port of Piraeus.

Seismologists stress that while the likelihood of a major earthquake remains uncertain, proactive measures are essential. The Greek government is set to hold high-level discussions, with military deployment to the region under consideration.