4.8 magnitude earthquake is just the latest of hundreds of shakes to ...

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Earthquakes rattle Santorini, hundreds of people fled the island

Hundreds of Santorini residents and tourists were seen boarding a ferries after dozens of tremors shook the Greek island.

• A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Greek island of Santorini on Tuesday, following a series of tremors that began earlier in the month.
• The earthquakes have prompted a state of emergency, school closures, and the deployment of rescuers and the army.
• The tourism industry, a major part of Santorini's economy, has been significantly impacted by the earthquakes.

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit Santorini on Tuesday as the Greek island continues to feel hundreds of temblors since the start of the month.

The latest quake centered southwest of Amorgós shook the island at around 1:45 p.m. local time, according to the Institute of Geodynamics in Athens, which recorded 14 earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 4.0 on Tuesday.

The island is under a state of emergency until at least March 3 as authorities have shut down schools on Santorini and nearby islands and deployed rescuers and the army, according to Reuters. More than 11,000 people, among those many seasonal workers, have fled.

Hundreds of earthquakes have been registered in the region since Feb. 1, with the strongest being a magnitude 5.3 that struck on Feb. 4 and another 5.3 on Monday.

Labor ministry backstopping tourism sector hit by earthquakes

Greece's labor ministry said it was taking steps to preserve jobs and provide financial support to workers and businesses on Santorini, Reuters reported. The island is one of Europe's most popular summer getaways, with an economy heavily dependent on tourism.

Under the measures, businesses could suspend workers' contracts until the end of the emergency but layoffs were prohibited. At the end of the suspension period, businesses would need to retain the same number of jobs as before.

Workers whose contracts were suspended were also entitled to state compensation of up to €534 (equivalent to just over $550) in cash payments for 30 days.

On Monday, the union representing employees in the food and tourism industry raised concerns that workers were left unprotected.

"For almost two weeks, each business has been deciding on its own whether to suspend its operation or not, resulting in hundreds of employees currently having no income and more importantly, no insurance contributions," it said.

No injuries in Greek earthquakes so far

No injuries or deaths have been reported as of Monday, according to the BBC. Inspections found no damage to buildings in Santorini or Amorgos, the British news agency reported.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Santorini on Friday, according to The Independent, announcing a €3 million funding package for constructing an emergency evacuation route in the southern part of the island.

“We are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best. That’s what a serious and organized state must do,” Mitsotakis said during a meeting with local officials − according to the British outlet.

Contributing: Reuters

This story has been updated with new information