When an earthquake hits Santorini, tourists flee, but locals are resilient

On a mild summer day in Santorini in July 1956, a disaster struck.

“I remember our dogs and birds acting strangely. Then an earthquake struck,” recalls 83-year-old Eilini Mindrinow. “The house is open before closing again. We could see the sky through the cracks in the roof.”

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck between Santorini and the nearby Amorgos island destroyed much of the island, causing even more damage 12 minutes later by a powerful aftershock. 53 people have died.

The island, a quiet fishing village at the time, was damaged and its people fled.

Rebuilt in one of Greece’s most coveted tourist destinations today, it’s very different, but this week another mass of Exodus unfolded with a wave of new earthquakes struck the island. I did.

The subtle tremors that began in June 2024 turned into a full-scale earthquake, shaking the house and unsettling the island’s residents. The family rushed to leave to the air and the sea, desperately seeking rest as the ground shook again.

But not everyone is running away. Those remaining show courage, need and deep connection to the land that came to define the locals of this island. They endure sleepless nights plagued by memories of the past and the horrifying unknown of what has yet to come.

“Noise from the earthquake…it can’t stand it. Even my home is overwhelming,” says local businessman Margarita Karamolegkou. “I felt tired every day, never finished, but I’m not afraid. I can’t leave the house, I can’t leave the person behind.”

This resilience is nothing new. Mayor Nicos Zorzos said people have endured social changes of 3.4 million people who visited the island last year – and earthquake changes. Now, as always, they are coming together in solidarity.

“We do our best to support vulnerable people,” says local volunteer and merchant Matthios Fitros. “People with disabilities, seniors – many people struggle to walk around and their homes are difficult to reach. If a major earthquake hits, I know exactly where they live. I’m here. Firefighters.”

Matthios and others patrol the islands to prevent abandoned property from being plundered, and to help those in need. “I’m not afraid,” he says with quiet conviction. “We are proud of the island. We hope everything goes well and this ordeal will soon be over. We are delighted that our visitors will be back with us.”

The national response is swift and measures are being taken to deal with the crisis. However, a quiet bitterness remains under the appreciation of government intervention. Many islanders recall an unprecedented year when cries for better infrastructure and support became unheard of.

“For years, we’ve been looking for a better port, something that will help us manage more tourists,” says Margarita. “We need to help maintain the island’s identity – its unique environment, the power of earthquakes and volcanic forces that shape it. We appreciate the tourists, but what makes Santorini special is what makes Santorini special. You also need to protect what you do.”

Tourism has become the lifeblood of Santorini’s economy. The island weighs around 2.5% of Greece’s GDP, and approximately 5.9 billion euros (£4.9 billion) each year.

As the trembling continues, the future of Santorini’s economy remains uncertain. Will its prosperity endure a shaking situation? Santorini people worry that the island’s vulnerability will soon spread beyond the land itself.

“I regret how the island’s development became a coincidence due to increased tourism,” he said, not temporarily in Athens, but in Athens for daily medical examinations. says. “We’ve damaged the natural environment here. With the earthquakes ongoing now, there’s a real risk that could potentially lose the entire tourism season.”

Scientists may not know when the shaking will stop, but instead of succumbing to fear, some residents have chosen to understand the phenomenon, which brings a sense of security in the face of the unknown. I hope that.

“I’m kindly trying to think about what’s going on,” Margarita says thoughtfully. “It feels like something’s settling there. Everything we respect about Santorini today – beauty, characters – is shaped by the volcano and its seismic forces.”

“We are the most beloved island,” says Matthius. His voice is full of pride. “And we believe it is the most beautiful of all the islands of Greece. We will come out of this.”