On a serene summer day in July, 1956, in the picturesque Greek island of Santorini, a catastrophe exploded without warning.
I clearly remember my dog and the bird being uncharacteristically agitated. It was as if they sensed something was coming. And then, without warning, a massive earthquake hit,” says 83-year-old Eirini Mindrinou, her voice firm, but with a hint of detachment, as if trying to grasp a memory from a lifetime ago. “The house partially collapsed into itself and then split open, giving me a brief glimpse of the sky.
A devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake slammed into the island between Santorini and Amorgos, leaving virtually nothing but rubble behind. A second, equally severe tremor occurred just 12 short minutes later, destroying what little was left of the island’s structures. Unfortunately, this disaster resulted in 53 deaths. The tiny fishing community on the island was blitzed and became uninhabitable, prompting the inhabitants to abandon their home.
Violent tremors, exceeding 4.0 on the Richter scale, are causing homes to shake and leaving island residents on edge. Families are scrambling to evacuate by plane and boat, desperately seeking refuge from the repeated ground shaking.
Not everyone is leaving. The ones who stay are driven by a mix of bravery, obligation, and a profound sense of belonging to this island. They bear restless nights haunted by memories of the past and the unnerving uncertainty of what’s still to come.
This constant earthquake rumbling and the sounds of nearby homes collapsing are absolutely deafening,” says Margarita Karamolegkou, a local businesswoman. “It’s become overwhelming even in my own home, day after exhausting day with no respite in sight. However, I’m not gripped by fear, partly because I’ve been unable to flee my home or the others who are remaining behind.
This kind of resilience is nothing new. Locals have repeatedly weathered the storms of societal change -as evidenced by the fact that 3.4 million tourists visited the island each year, a claim made by Mayor Nikos Zorzos – and the earth’s seismic movements. Once again, they are rallying together in unity.
We’re doing everything we can to help those who need assistance,” says Matthaios Fytros, a local volunteer and business owner. “Many people with disabilities and the elderly have difficulties navigating their neighborhoods, as their homes are often in hard-to-reach locations. In the event of a significant earthquake, I know exactly where these vulnerable individuals reside, and I’ll make every effort to reach them quickly, alongside the firefighters.
Matthaios and others roam the island, making sure abandoned properties are secure and assisting people in need. “I’m not frightened,” he says calmly. “We’re proud of our island. We just hope things get back to normal and this hardship is over soon, with our visitors returning safely.”
There’s a swift response from the government to the situation, with immediate action being taken to address the problem. But beneath gratitude for the intervention, a subtle resentment has developed. Many islanders remember the years when they pleaded for improved infrastructure and support, but their voices were largely ignored by the government.
We’ve been pleading for a better harbor for a long time to handle the increasing number of visitors,” Margarita says, her voice filled with exasperation. “It’s essential that we preserve what makes Santorini one-of-a-kind – its exceptional environment, shaped by its earthquakes and volcanic activity. While we appreciate the tourism, we also need safeguards to protect what makes this island truly unique.
Travel and tourism have become the backbone of Greece’s economy, particularly for the island of Santorini, which accounts for about 2.5% of the country’s GDP, roughly $6.7 billion annually.
As the earthquakes persist, the stability of Santorini’s economy hangs in the balance. The residents of Santorini are concerned that the island’s vulnerability could soon spread beyond its foundations.
The island’s development has proceeded in a disjointed manner since tourism increased, says Eirini, who is visiting Athens for medical tests unrelated to safety concerns. “We’ve already harmed the natural surroundings. With ongoing earthquakes, the concern is that we will lose the entire tourist season.”
Some folks are finding ways to cope with the uncertainty, choosing to educate themselves about the quaking, instead of giving in to fear.
Margarita muses on the island’s situation with compassion,” she says reflectively. “It feels like a calmness is gradually taking hold here. The very qualities we adore about Santorini today – its breathtaking beauty and distinct personality – owe their existence to the volcano and its seismic powers.
We feel incredibly fortunate to inhabit this island,” Matthaios says with a sense of pride in his voice. “In my opinion, it’s also the most visually stunning of all the Greek islands. We’re confident that we’ll emerge from this challenging time even stronger.
