Thousands evacuate Santorini as earthquakes strike island

Thousands of residents are fleeing Santorini after hundreds of earthquakes were recorded near the Greek island in the last 48 hours. About 9,000 people have left the island since Sunday, with additional emergency flights scheduled to leave on Tuesday. More than 300 earthquakes have been recorded in the past two days near the island, and some experts say tremors could continue for weeks. Authorities have closed schools and warned against large indoor gatherings, but Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged calm. Santorini is a popular tourist destination but most of those leaving are locals, as February is outside the peak tourist season. Dozens of tremors were recorded in the Aegean Sea north-east of Santorini on Tuesday, with a large earthquake measuring magnitude 5 striking mid-afternoon. Local media reports around 6,000 people have left the island by ferry since Sunday, and a further 2,500 to 2,700 passengers will have flown from Santorini to Athens via plane on Monday and Tuesday, according to Aegean Airlines. The carrier said it had added nine emergency flights to its schedule following a request from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.<br/>