Anafi Island Enters a State of Emergency Due to Escalating Seismic Activity

• Anafi entered a state of emergency on February 12, 2025, after seismic activity escalated in the Cyclades.
• Santorini and Amorgos are also dealing with emergency measures, straining local communities.
• The protocol will last 30 days, expiring without renewal unless conditions worsen.
• Seismic monitors are actively tracking activity, yet no severe damages have been detected.
• Public fears are present, but most residents remain, and local authorities are on alert.

On Wednesday, February 12, the island of Anafi found itself standing on the edge of the unknown, its foundation trembling beneath unseen forces. A formal declaration has placed Anafi under a state of emergency, marking the latest chapter in a string of seismic rumblings that have tormented the Cyclades. The decision, signed by Vasilis Papageorgiou, the Secretary General of Civil Protection, reflects the urgent need to respond to this geological unrest and its potential aftermath.

The wave of action isn’t limited to Anafi. Amorgos fell under similar orders the same day, and Santorini has been living within the bounds of emergency measures for over a week. The islands—bound together by the same fault lines—share the burden of waiting, wondering, preparing. The air is thick with more than sea salt; it carries apprehension, the kind that clings to everything: conversation, routine, and unexpected silences.

Uncertainty Grows Beneath the Surface

Now officially under emergency protocol, Anafi’s status will remain in effect for thirty days, ending March 13, 2025, unless extended. This period gives the island time to assess damages, implement safety measures, and brace for what might still come. Local authorities are working tirelessly, surveying critical facilities like schools and medical centers. Early inspections provide some relief—no immediate structural damages have been reported.

But seismic monitors tell a different story. For ten days, one has been stationed on the island, silently recording each vibration, every jolt that breaks through the depths. Meanwhile, the human element looms. Residents stay, though uneasiness lingers. The rhythms of daily life now intermixed with an unpredictable beat—questions of “what if” punctuating each passing hour. Teachers have left since schools are temporarily closed, but so far, no mass departures plague this small, resilient community.

Mayor Iakovos Roussos voices the island’s call for urgency, his words revealing both concern and resolve: they had asked for this. They had sought greater oversight and preparation. His tone is measured, but tension bleeds through. It’s clear—the island lies in patient defiance of these restless shifts, its people unwilling to scatter despite the looming possibility that the earth may once again move.

In the Shadow of Santorini and Amorgos

Anafi isn’t alone in this creeping unease. Santorini, a name synonymous with beauty, has carried its own state of emergency for over a week now. Amorgos joined the ranks, forcing these jewels of the Aegean to share an unwelcome role in the chaos. Their stunning, rugged landscapes are reminders that nature’s power is unromantic and unyielding.

For more updates on the unfolding situation in Anafi, visit KEDE’s official announcement. The story continues to develop—its echoes are felt far beyond the coastline.