As earthquakes hit Santorini, tourists flee but locals remain resilient

Many started evacuating the island as it was hit by tremors - but some have decided to stay.

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"I remember our dog and bird acting strangely. Then, the earthquake struck," 83-year-old Eirini Mindrinou recalls. "The house split open before closing again. Through the crack in the roof, I could see the sky."

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake, which hit between Santorini and the nearby island of Amorgos, destroyed much of the island, and a powerful aftershock 12 minutes later caused further damage. Fifty-three people died.

The island, then just a quiet fishing village, was scarred and its people fled.

It is much different today, rebuilt into one of Greece's most coveted tourists destinations – but this week, another mass exodus unfolded as a new wave of earthquakes hit the island.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8059mny2g3o

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