South Korea Issues Urgent Travel Advisory for Santorini Amid Earthquake Swarms
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On February 7, South Korea issued a significant travel warning for Santorini and three other Greek islands due to a series of earthquakes affecting the region. The advisory recommends that citizens cancel their trips and evacuate if necessary.
Key Takeaways
- Over 700 earthquakes recorded around Santorini.
- South Korea issues travel advisory for safety.
- Local residents evacuate amid increasing seismic activity.
- Schools closed as a precautionary measure.
- Historical context of past earthquakes in Santorini.
Seoul, Feb 7 (NationPress) On Friday, South Korea released a critical travel advisory for Santorini and three additional Greek islands -- Anafi, Ios, and Amorgos -- following hundreds of earthquakes that have impacted these locations over the past fortnight.
Since January 24, over 700 earthquakes, with magnitudes ranging from 3 to 4, have been recorded in and around the popular tourist destination.
Many local residents have started to evacuate the island, leading authorities to close schools and recommend that people avoid large indoor gatherings.
The travel advisory urges South Korean nationals to either cancel or delay their travel plans to these Greek islands, and advises those currently residing there to evacuate to a safer location unless absolutely necessary.
This advisory is issued by the government in situations posing significant security threats to travelers and can remain in effect for up to 90 days, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Santorini has experienced seismic activity before, with its last significant quake - measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale - occurring in 1956, resulting in the deaths of at least 53 individuals and injuring over 100.
On February 5, a massive exodus of residents from Santorini occurred after a series of earthquakes rattled the Aegean Sea islands.
Authorities have implemented school closures and cautioned against large indoor gatherings. Despite the chaos, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged residents to remain calm.
Known as Greece's 'Instagram Island', Santorini attracts millions of tourists annually but has a permanent population of only about 2,000. In recent days, many locals have fled to the mainland for safety. Residents who remain have been advised to stay vigilant due to the escalating seismic activity.
So far, no significant damage has been reported on the island, but emergency protocols are being activated as a precautionary measure. Schools have been closed, and residents are being urged to avoid large gatherings indoors.
