ATHENS — Greece is planning to establish an evacuation port on Santorini to ensure a safe escape route in case of a stronger earthquake, a government minister announced on Monday.

Since late January, the volcanic island in the Aegean Sea has been experiencing an unusual wave of seismic activity, with tens of thousands of mild tremors. While no major damage has been reported, the persistent quakes have forced thousands to leave, leading authorities to halt construction, close schools, and restrict activity on nearby islands.

Experts have described this level of seismic movement as unprecedented, even for a quake-prone country like Greece. Although the island’s main ferry port and other locations have been identified as vulnerable, they remain operational in case of emergencies.

Greek Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias stated that, alongside plans for a new port in Santorini, an evacuation port will be built to allow passenger ferries to dock safely during emergencies. While the tremors eased over the weekend, local authorities extended emergency measures for another week, urging residents and visitors to stay away from steep cliffs and coastal areas due to the risk of landslides.

"This situation is far from over," warned seismology professor Costas Papazachos, who has been monitoring the island’s activity. He suggested that the disruptions could persist for several months. Santorini, shaped by a massive volcanic eruption around 1600 BC, remains geologically active. Scientists believe the recent tremors are caused by shifting tectonic plates and magma movement, which have been pushing the island’s subsurface layers upward.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file.