AEGEAN Airlines Adds Extra Flights to Santorini Amid Ongoing Seismic Activity

Greece’s major Airline AEGEAN announced the addition of two extra flights for Monday, February 3 and one additional flight for tomorrow, February 4, to and from the Santorini, as reoccurring seismic activity in the Aegean continues to shake the island.

The addition of the extra flights followed a request from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. The aim of the additional flights is to facilitate the movement of residents and visitors who wish to leave the island. The company noted that all four regular, scheduled daily flights to and from Santorini will operate as usual according to schedule.

The series of earthquakes have caused concern among locals and tourists, despite reassuring statements from officials and authorities. This has resulted in a soaring increase of people leaving the island travelling by plane and ferry.

There was an increased movement at the Athinios port early Monday morning, February 3, with mainly visitors and seasonal workers rushing to leave on the first ferry of the day from the Cycladic island, due to fear of a larger earthquake.

As reported, the Blue Star Chios ferry, departed from the Athinios port for Athens, fully booked, in the early hours of Monday.

Long lines of cars were waiting to board the ferry, including families with young children and people of all ages. Locals estimated that more than 1,500 people were expected to leave the island.

According to the Geodynamic Institute over 380 earthquakes have been recorded in the area with scientists closely monitoring the evolution of the phenomenon.

At the same time, the responsible authorities remain on alert. The President of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization, (OASP), Efthymios Lekkas, convened a joint meeting of two scientific committees at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, and other relevant agencies in attendance.

A number of preventative measures were put in effect which include people avoiding gatherings in enclosed spaces and staying away from abandoned buildings. In addition, individuals are prohibited from accessing the ports of Ammoudi, Armeni, Korfu, and Old Port of Fira.

Source: tovima.com