Tourists flee but resistant locals stay

On a quiet summer day in Santorini in July 1956, the land turned against its people.

“I remember that our dog and our bird act strangely. Then, the earthquake hit,” recalls Eirini Mindrinou, 83, his constant but distant voice, as if trying to understand a memory that never vanished. “The house opened before closing again. Through the crack on the roof, I could see the sky.”

The earthquake of magnitude 7.8, which hit between Santorini and the close island of Amorgos, destroyed a large part of the island, and a powerful replica 12 minutes later ended what remained little. Fifty -three people died. The island, then only a quiet fishing town, was marked and its people fled.

Today is very different, rebuilt in one of Greece’s most coveted tourist destinations, but this week, another mass exodus was developed. Subtle tremors that had begun in June 2024 converted into full earthquakesSome exceed 4.0 on the Richter scale, shaking houses and disturbing the island’s residents. The families rushed to go by air and sea, desperately looking for the breath while the ground trembled once more.

But not everyone flees. Those who remain show the combination of courage, need and a deep connection with the land that has come to define the locals of this island. They hold the insomnia nights, tormented by memories of the past and the terrifying unknown of what is to come.

“The noise of the earthquake, the sounds of the houses (of other people) that separate, is unbearable. Even in my house, it has become overwhelming,” says Margarita Karamolegkou, a local businesswoman. “I have felt tired, day after day, without an end to the sight … but I have not felt fear. I cannot leave my house, and I cannot leave the people who have stayed behind.”

This resistance is nothing new. People have resisted so much social change, approximately 3.4 million visited the island last year, according to Mayor Nikos Zorzos, and seismic changes. Now, as always, they have joined in solidarity.

“We are doing everything possible to support the vulnerable,” says Matthaios Fytros, a local volunteer and merchant. “People with disabilities, the elderly: many fight to move and their homes are difficult to reach. If a great earthquake hits, be exactly where they live, and I will reach them as quickly as I can, together with the Firefighters.”

Matthaios and others patrol the island, ensuring that abandoned properties do not sit and help anyone who needs it. “I’m not afraid,” he says with a quiet conviction. “We are proud of our island. I just hope everything goes well and that this terrible experience ends soon. We will be happy to have our visitors back with us.”

The state’s response has been fast, with measures taken to address the crisis. However, under the gratitude for government intervention, a quiet bitterness persists. Many islanders remember the years in which their shouts for better infrastructure and support were unheard of.

“For years, we have been asking for a better port, something that helps us to administer the growing number of tourists,” says Margarita, his voice dyed of frustration. “We need help to preserve the identity of the island: its unique environment, the seismic and volcanic forces that shape it. We are grateful for tourists, but we also need to protect what makes Santorini special.”

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

As the tremors continue, the future of Santorini’s economy is still uncertain. Will your prosperity resist the ground of tremor? The people of Santorini are concerned that the fragility of the island soon extends beyond the earth itself.

“I regret how the development of the island has been with the increase in tourism,” says Eirini, who is temporarily in Athens, not for fear, but for routine medical tests. “We have damaged the natural environment here. Now, with the earthquakes continuing, there is a real risk that we can lose the entire tourist season.”

It is possible that scientists do not know when the tremor will stop, but instead of succumbing to fear, some residents have chosen to understand the phenomenon, with the hope that it gives them peace of mind in the face of the unknown.

“I try to think about what is happening with kindness,” says Margarita carefully. “It seems that something is settling there. Everything we admire about Santorini today, beauty, the character, has been molded by the volcano and its seismic forces.”

“We are the most beloved island,” says Matthaios, his voice full of pride. “And I think we are the most beautiful of all the islands of Greece. We will leave this stronger.”