Santorini, a popular tourist destination in Greece, was put on high alert following a series of over 200 undersea earthquakes between Santorini and another Greek island Amoros, in the past four days. The earthquake has caused considerable anxiety among residents. While Greek experts say the quakes, many with magnitudes over 4.5, are not linked to Santorini’s volcano, they acknowledge that the pattern of seismic activity is cause for concern.

Masses in the Greek tourist island of Santorini are fleeing in panic amid fears that a large, massive earthquake may soon strike the territory. On Tuesday morning (February 4), hundreds of people gathered at a local port to board a ferry and reach Athens. It comes as the sea between the volcanic islands of Santorini and Amorgos in the Aegean Sea has been experiencing hundreds of quakes every few minutes since Friday (January 31).

Emergency crews have been dispatched to assist, with temporary shelters being set up for those displaced. Authorities have advised residents and visitors to avoid large indoor gatherings and areas prone to rockslides, like the island by ferry and plane due to the ongoing seismic threat. Additional flights have also been announced to help people leave the tourist hub.

“We have a very intense geological phenomenon to handle,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said from Brussels, where he was attending a European meeting. “I want to ask our islanders first and foremost to remain calm, to listen to the instructions of the Civil Protection (authority).”

Mobile phones on the island blared with alert warnings about the potential for rock slides, while several earthquakes caused loud rumbles. Authorities banned access to some seaside areas, including the island’s old port, that are in close proximity to cliffs.