SCHOOLS SHUT BECAUSE OF GREEK ISLANDS EARTHQUAKES

As earthquakes continue to rattle the area, schools on four Greek islands will remain closed next week.

Since 1 February, more than 800 tremors of magnitude 3 and over have been recorded on the islands of Ios, Santorini, Amorgos and Anafi.

The tremors led to most of Santorini’s 16,000 residents and tourists fleeing the island.

On Saturday 8 February alone, 11 tremors of at least magnitude 4 hit the area. Although there were no reports of major damage or casualties since the quakes started, the Athens Institute of Geodynamics has said that it couldn’t exclude stronger quakes.

The build-up to these tremors started in June 2024 already. The tremors soon became full-fledged earthquakes which saw families rushing to get off the islands by sea and air.

Locals who have stayed behind are there to look after abandoned properties so that they aren’t looted while their owners are away. Volunteers have also reached out to the elderly or disabled people on the islands so that they know where they are should disaster strike.

The region is known for the odd tremor or earthquake, but the country’s strongest earthquake ever, hit in July 1956 killing 53.

Image credit: BBC