Thousands leave Santorini amid earthquakes

Thousands of people are fleeing the Greek island of Santorini, as a result of a series of earthquakes.

The mass exodus has left the island nearly empty.

Lee Seung-jae has the details.

The picturesque Greek island of Santorini is a world-famous tourist destination.

It also has some 20-thousand residents.

Now, thousands are fleeing the island, as it has experienced hundreds of earthquakes in just a few days.

Around 550 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or above have been recorded since Sunday, with experts saying the tremors could continue for weeks.

As February is the off-peak season for tourists on the Greek island, most of the people evacuating Santorini are residents.

"Our Santorini is shaking every 10 minutes on average. A lot of earthquakes, there is concern."

Authorities have closed schools until Friday, and have also warned against any large indoor gatherings on the island.

Some have opted to sleep inside their cars, over fears that a bigger earthquake would destroy their homes.

Local residents say all shops have been closed, and the island is virtually empty, leaving them with no choice but to leave the island.

On Sunday a magnitude 4-point-8 earthquake struck 18 kilometers southwest of Amorgos Island.

Less than an hour later, a magnitude 4-point-7 earthquake shook Amorgos and nearby islands, including Santorini.

In 1956, a magnitude 7-point-5 earthquake struck near Santorini, killing 53 people and injuring more than 100.

Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.