Tremors Empty Santorini: Over 10,000 Earthquakes Leave Iconic Greek Island Deserted

The absence of crowds has transformed Santorini’s usually packed streets into empty corridors.

The Greek island of Santorini, typically bustling with visitors year-round, now stands eerily empty as relentless seismic activity drives both tourists and residents away.

On Monday, as thick grey clouds loomed over the island’s once-thriving streets, the strongest tremor in a series of more than 10,000 quakes jolted Santorini. The 5.3-magnitude earthquake, the most powerful recorded in the past two weeks, struck fear into those who remained.

Since late January, an unusual surge in seismic activity has shaken the Aegean region, turning Santorini’s famous whitewashed villages into near ghost towns. Restaurants and shops have shuttered, schools have closed, and residents have fled, fearing an even larger catastrophe could be imminent.

Santorini, which owes its dramatic landscape to one of the most catastrophic volcanic eruptions in history nearly 4,000 years ago, is no stranger to geological upheaval. However, scientists remain uncertain whether this relentless “earthquake swarm” signals an impending major event or if the tremors will continue sporadically for months.

In response to the crisis, Greek authorities have declared a state of emergency for at least a month. The Greek prime minister assured citizens that the government was fully engaged, stating, "The state mechanism is on their side."

Despite these reassurances, concern has grown among the island’s population. With over 11,000 people—residents and tourists alike—having evacuated to the mainland within the past week, only a handful remain to witness the island in an unprecedented state of stillness.

The absence of crowds has transformed Santorini’s usually packed streets into empty corridors. Landmarks such as the vibrant alleys of Fira and the rugged trails leading to breathtaking caldera views are now devoid of the usual influx of sightseers. Those who chose to stay, however, have embraced the solitude.

"This place is amazing, really beautiful," said Josephi Liu, a traveler from Guangzhou, China. He admitted that he had been informed about the seismic risks before arriving and was not taken aback by the ongoing tremors. "It was not a surprise."

For older locals, the constant quakes bring a mix of familiarity and unease. Retired police officer and former ship worker Panagiotis Hatzigeorgiou shared his perspective: "Older residents are used to the earthquakes. But it's different this time. It's not the same to have earthquakes every two to three minutes. The main thing is not to worry," he said. "Now we can listen to music alone and have coffee by ourselves."

Authorities have taken extensive precautions, with hospitals conducting emergency drills, setting up makeshift treatment areas in outdoor tents in case a larger quake forces evacuations. Landslides and rockfalls along the island’s steep cliffs have further complicated the situation, damaging buildings and raising concerns about safety.

Footage from the island captures dramatic scenes of crashing debris and massive dust clouds rising from landslide sites. The ongoing instability has also sparked debate over the safety of Santorini’s rapid development. Experts worry that the island’s extensive construction, particularly in high-risk zones, may have overlooked essential safety standards.

"They wanted to develop the island and didn't pay attention to environmental and safety issues," remarked Dimitris Papanikolaou, a geology professor at the University of Athens and former head of Greece’s Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization. Luxury hotels and villas precariously perched on the island’s cliffs now appear more vulnerable than ever. "Nothing should have been built in this zone. It's a danger zone for as long as the seismic activity lasts."

To mitigate the economic impact, the Greek government has introduced temporary financial relief for those affected. Businesses on the island have been permitted to suspend worker contracts until March 3, though layoffs have been banned to protect employment. Employees with suspended contracts will receive up to €534 (£445) in state compensation to support them through this uncertain period.

As Santorini waits for stability to return, the fate of the island’s residents, businesses, and tourism industry hangs in the balance.