A calm summer day in Santorini in July 1956, the land turned against its inhabitants, the BBC notes. “I remember our dog and our bird behaving weirdly. Then the earthquake hit, “recalls 83 -year -old Irene Mindrinou, with her voice steady but distant. “The house opened before it closed again. Through the crack in the roof, I could see the sky. “

The 7.8 -magnitude Richter earthquake, which occurred between Santorini and the nearby island of Amorgos, destroyed much of the island, and a strong aftershock 12 minutes later made up what was left. Fifty -three people died. The island, which was then just a quiet fishing village, was marked and its inhabitants fled.

Today, the BBC points out, it is very different and is one of Greece’s most sought after tourist destinations – but this week another mass exit has unfolded. The vibrations that had begun in June 2024 turned into normal earthquakes, some of which exceeded 4 Richters, shaking the houses and upsetting the islanders. Families rushed to leave by air and by sea, looking for desperate breaks as we were running the ground once again.

But not everyone leaves, the BBC adds. Those who remain show a mixture of courage, necessity and deep connection to the island. They endure alert nights, haunted by the memories of the past and the frightening unknown of what is going to happen.

‘The noise from the earthquake, the sounds from the houses [άλλων ανθρώπων] They are dissolved – they are unbearable, “says Margarita Karamolegou, a local businessman. “I feel tired, day by day, without ending it … but I have not felt fear. I can’t leave my house and I can’t leave the people left behind. “

This durability is not something new, the agency stresses. People have endured both social changes – about 3.4 million visited the island last year, according to Mayor Nikos Zorzos – as well as seismic shifts. Now, as always, solidarity unites them.

“We do everything we can to support the vulnerable,” said Matthew Fitros, a local volunteer and trader. “People with disabilities, the elderly – many find it difficult to move and their homes are difficult to access. If there is a big earthquake, I know exactly where they stay and I will go to them as quickly as I can, along with the firefighters. “

Matthew and others patrol the island, ensuring that abandoned property is not looted and help anyone in need. “I’m not scared,” he says in a calm voice. “We are proud of our island. I just hope everything goes well and this test is finished soon. We will be happy to have our visitors back with us. “

The state’s reaction was immediate, the BBC adds, with measures to deal with the crisis. Under the gratitude of the government’s intervention, however, there is a silent bitterness. Many residents of the island have been remembering the years when their voices for better infrastructure and support have not been heard.

“For years, we have been asking for a better port, which will help us manage the growing number of tourists,” says Margarita, with her voice being full of frustration. “We need help to maintain the identity of the island – its unique environment, the seismic and volcanic forces that shape it. We are grateful for tourists, but we must also protect what makes Santorini special. “

Tourism is a key part of the Santorini economy. The island contributes about 2.5% to GDP of Greece, that is, about 5.9 billion euros each year.

As vibrations continue, the future of Santorini’s economy remains uncertain. Will her prosperity withstand a territory experiencing frequent vibrations? The inhabitants of Santorini are concerned that the fragility of the island can soon be expanded beyond the Earth itself.

“I am sorry for how disorganized the development of the island was with the rise of tourism,” says Irene, who is temporarily in Athens, not out of fear, but about routine medical examinations. “We have destroyed the natural environment here. Now, with the continuation of earthquakes, there is a real risk of losing the whole tourist season. “

Scientists may not know when the vibrations will stop, but instead of succumbing to fear, some residents have chosen to understand the phenomenon, hoping that this would reassure them in front of the unknown.

“I’m trying to think about what’s going on with kindness,” says Margarita thinking. “Whatever we admire today in Santorini – beauty, character – has been shaped by the volcano and its seismic powers.” “We are the most beloved island,” says Matthew, with his voice full of pride. “And I think we are the most beautiful of all the islands in Greece. We will get out of it stronger. “