ATHENS, February 4. /TASS/. About 9,000 residents of the island of Santorini in Greece have left their homes by ferry and airplane due to earthquakes, the Proto Thema newspaper reported.

According to the daily, the Kissamos and Blue Star Paros ferries are making unscheduled trips from the island to Athens' seaport, Piraeus. Dozens of families have been lining up to board the vessels since the morning.

Greece's Aegean Airlines operated a total of nine trips from Santorini to Athens on February 3, with four scheduled and five unscheduled flights carrying a total of 1,294 passengers to the capital. Eight flights are scheduled for February 4, accommodating more than 1,400 passengers. Ticket prices, which had previously risen to €200, now range between €55 and €65 on all extraordinary flights. More unscheduled trips will be launched on February 5.

According to seismologists, over the past three days, there have been 550 earthquakes with a magnitude above 3 recorded in the sea area between the islands of Santorini, Amorgos, and Ios. The quakes have been hitting every 5-20 minutes. The biggest earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 4.9.

Athanassios Ganas, Research Director at the Geodynamic Institute of Athens, told ERT News television that, in view of the 4.8 and 4.9 magnitude quakes on the morning of February 4, the likelihood of a larger earthquake in the area is now lower. Meanwhile, Geophysics Professor Papazachos Costas believes that this seismic pattern indicates a high risk of a larger earthquake occurring. He described the current situation as challenging. Seismologists predict that there is a high likelihood of an earthquake above magnitude 6 happening.

A joint meeting of the Permanent Scientific Committee for the Monitoring of the Greek Volcanic Arc and the Standing Scientific Committee for the Assessment and Reduction of Seismic Risk at the Hellenic Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has proposed preventive measures, including shutting down schools and avoiding crowded indoor spaces.

Seismologists also advised people to remove dangerous constructions from buildings and drain swimming pools, as well as to choose safe routes when traveling on urban and rural roads, especially in areas prone to landslides, and to immediately evacuate coastal areas in case of strong seismic tremors. Schools in Santorini, Anafi, Ios, and Amorgos are closed until Friday, according to the government's decision.

Greece is one of the most seismically active countries in Europe. It accounts for almost half of all earthquakes striking the continent.