ATHENS, Greece — Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited earthquake-struck Santorini on Friday, because the Aegean island imposed extra precautionary measures amid intense seismic exercise.
Throughout his go to, Mitsotakis inspected emergency preparedness amenities and introduced a 3 million euro ($3.1 million) funding bundle for developing an emergency evacuation route within the southern a part of the island.
“We’re making ready for the worst whereas hoping for the most effective. That is what a critical and arranged state should do,” Mitsotakis stated throughout a gathering with native officers.
The heightened seismic exercise has prompted authorities to implement further precautionary measures, together with proscribing site visitors in areas listed as weak to rockslides. Military vehicles have additionally introduced electrical energy mills to Santorini, whereas rescuers have been deployed earlier this week.
Scientists are persevering with to watch the continued seismic swarm of undersea quakes – as robust as magnitude 5.2 – which are largely affecting Santorini and three close by islands, the place faculties have additionally closed and extra restricted emergency measures have been taken.
Mitsotakis visited Santorini a day after the federal government declared a state of emergency to permit authorities to have quicker entry to state sources. Regardless of inflicting minimal harm, the earthquake exercise has prompted an exodus of 1000’s of residents, vacationers and seasonal employees, largely evacuating to the Greek mainland by ferry. Consultants say the seismic exercise is unrelated to volcanic exercise within the Aegean Sea, however are nonetheless unable to say whether or not the swarm may result in a extra highly effective earthquake.