'1600 BC echoes': Could Santorini’s earthquakes signal another Minoan-like disaster?

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Tremors Persist

Santorini faces over 7,000 quakes in a week, with experts fearing these might be precursors to larger seismic activity or volcanic unrest.

Tourists Flee

More than 12,000 residents and tourists evacuated as panic spreads across Santorini following the intense and unusual earthquake swarm.

Volcanic Warnings

Volcanologist Stavros Meletlidis suggests the underwater Columbo crater could be reactivating, raising fears of an eruption within days.

Seismic Mystery

Seismologist Prof. Lekas states these quakes are tectonic, not volcanic, yet experts disagree on the connection to Santorini’s active volcanoes.

Historical Fears

Santorini’s eruptions, including the catastrophic Minoan event, are infamous for shaping civilizations—could history repeat itself?

Tsunami Risks

If a stronger quake occurs, landslides and tsunamis could devastate nearby islands, as seen in the deadly 1956 quake.

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Tourism Crumbles

Airbnb cancellations for Santorini exceed 80%, and insurance companies have begun rejecting property coverage due to mounting risks.

Government Acts

Prime Minister Mitsotakis visits Santorini, promising support for businesses and infrastructure, while urging preparedness for worst-case scenarios.

Scientific Divide

While some experts dismiss volcanic links, others, like Prof. Avraham Zelilidis, warn of imminent volcanic activity in the Columbo crater.

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