Turkey begins tsunami preparations after Aegean earthquakes

Turkey is preparing for tsunamis and earthquakes amid seismic activity on the island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea. This is reported on the website of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD).

"As a result of the activity in the region, which has taken the form of a seismic storm, the number of earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 3 has reached 761 as of February 7, 2025. The earthquakes intensify about 25 km northeast of the island of Santorini, and their depth ranges from 5 km to 25 km. The closest earthquake to the shores of our country occurred at a distance of 140 km", - stated in the message.

It is specified that the earthquakes are concentrated in the area of Colombo volcano, which has an underwater crater, located 6.5 km northeast of the island of Santorini in the South Aegean volcanic island arc.

Meanwhile, ongoing seismic activity in the region could lead to volcanic activity, the office said.

In this regard, AFAD has deployed mobile siren systems in Izmir, Aydın and Muğla provinces to warn local residents of the possible threat, put provincial and allied AFAD directorates in the region on alert and strengthened coordination between emergency response units. In addition, the Turkish agency is exchanging scientific information with universities and research institutes in Greece.

Earlier, on February 6, it was reported that Israel's National Security Council (NSC) held an urgent meeting and called on emergency services to prepare for a tsunami that could occur due to the ongoing earthquakes in Greece. As noted, Israel, given that its proximity to the incident zone is only 900 kilometers, could be severely affected by a tsunami caused by the ongoing natural phenomenon.

On February 4, Reuters, citing sources, reported that due to the ongoing earthquakes in Santorini, hundreds of people left the island on ferries and planes to reach the safety of Athens.

Before that, on February 3, it was reported that the authorities of Santorini ordered to close all schools on the island due to increased seismic activity. It was specified that during the last few days on the territory of the island there were earth tremors with a magnitude of up to 4.6.