A warning of increased seismic activity in Santorini has been issued in a Foreign Office travel advisory.
The alert reflected advice from the Greek Ministry of Civil Protection for the Aegean island and its smaller neighbours of Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, following more than 200 tremors registered in the area over 48 hours.
Schools on on the islands will remain closed today (Monday).
“People are advised not to attend large indoors gatherings and to avoid old or abandoned buildings,” the Foreign. Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said.
“The Greek ministry advises people to avoid the ports of Amoudi, Armeni, Korfos and Old Port (Paleos Limenas) in the area of Fira and to choose safe routes when travelling, particularly in areas where the landslide risk is high.
“In case of a strong tremor, people should immediately depart coastal areas.
“If you are in the affected areas, you should follow the advice of the local authorities.”
The South Aegean Regional Fire Department has been placed on general alert and rescue teams as well as the regional commander have been dispatched to Santorini.
Rescue teams in Santorini pitched tents in elevated areas on basketball courts and in car parks. People were told to head inland In the event of a tsunami.
Greek authorities reportedly said that recent minor earthquakes were related to tectonic plate movements instead of volcanic activity, and that activity in the Santorini caldera – the volcanic basin the island sits around – remains in decline.
The tremors recorded by geologists are considered minor or light, but authorities have recommended a number of preventative measures in addition to the school closures, including asking ships to avoid the ports of Ammoudi and Fira.
Cruise ships often anchor near the Old Port of Fira, with passengers being brought to shore on smaller boats.
Ferry companies said there had been an increase in foreign workers leaving the island for the Athens port of Piraeus.
The island sustained extensive damage in 1956 after being hit by an earthquake of more than seven on the Richter scale, which caused a tsunami and killed more than 50 people.