Earthquakes continue to shake Greece’s volcanic island of Santorini every few minutes.

Fire service rescuers arrive at the airport on the earthquake-stricken island of Santorini, Greece, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

By  NEWS BLEND 360

Updated 11:12 AM EST, February 5, 2025

SANTORINI, Greece (NB360) — Overnight and into Wednesday, Greece’s volcanic island of Santorini experienced frequent earthquakes, prompting authorities to enhance emergency plans due to the possibility that the numerous tremors in recent days might indicate a larger quake.

A coast guard ship and a military landing craft were positioned in the area in case evacuation becomes necessary, Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias stated during an emergency meeting with security officials, scientists, and the prime minister in Athens.

“We must prepare for both best and worst-case scenarios,” Kikilias remarked during the live-broadcast meeting.

Greece is located in a seismically active region where earthquakes are common. However, it is highly unusual for any part of the country to experience such a persistent series of frequent quakes.

Earthquake prediction is not scientifically feasible, and experts cannot conclusively say if the seismic activity between Santorini and Amorgos is a precursor to a major earthquake or part of a series of small or moderate quakes over weeks or months.

Sunlight shines on the volcanic islet of Nea Kameni, part of the earthquake-affected island of Santorini, Greece, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

“I understand the fear of being on a constantly moving Santorini right now,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, urging residents to stay calm.

Authorities have restricted access to several coastal areas and ordered schools on several islands to close for the week. Public events on Santorini have been canceled, and access to clifftop areas, popular with tourists, is being limited.

Thousands of residents and tourists have left Santorini, alarmed by the earthquakes ranging from magnitude 3 to magnitude 5 since the weekend. Ferry services and airlines have increased their schedules to meet the demand, although rough weather affected ferry operations on Wednesday.

The quakes have not resulted in injuries or significant damage.

An empty swimming pool is seen in a group of clifftop buildings in the town of Oia on the earthquake-struck island of Santorini, Greece, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

The Ministry of Digital Governance announced that a mobile satellite communications unit was being sent to Santorini, while telecom providers dispatched generators and mobile units to Santorini and nearby islands such as Anafi, Amorgos, and Ios.

They also launched a digital platform — mysafetyplan.gov.gr — featuring maps with designated safe gathering points for natural disasters.

Authorities reported increased volcanic activity within Santorini’s caldera, or flooded crater, but scientists indicated this is unrelated to the earthquakes. They stated that the seismic activity northeast of the island is unlikely to trigger either of the two volcanoes in the area.

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Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece.