On Monday, authorities closed schools and deployed emergency crews on the volcanic Greek island of Santorini following an increase in seismic activity that heightened fears of a significant earthquake.

Precautionary measures were also implemented on several other popular Aegean Sea islands due to the recording of more than 200 undersea earthquakes in the region over a span of three days.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking from Brussels during a European meeting, addressed the situation by urging residents to remain calm and to heed the guidance of the Civil Protection authority.

In response to the seismic events, mobile phones across Santorini emitted alert notifications regarding the risk of rockslides, accompanied by the sounds of tremors from several earthquakes.

Access was restricted to certain coastal areas, including the island’s old port, which is situated near cliffs.

Civil Protection Minister Vasilis Kikilias emphasized that these measures are precautionary and that authorities will maintain a vigilant stance.

He urged citizens to strictly follow safety recommendations to reduce potential risks.

Although Greek experts noted that the quakes, many exceeding a magnitude of 4.5, are not directly connected to Santorini’s volcano, they acknowledged that the ongoing seismic activity warrants attention and caution.