Schools close on Greek island of Santorini due to earthquake warnings

Schools on the Greek island of Santorini have been closed until Friday after hundreds of small tremors were recorded in the area.

The island has been put on alert over worries that that a larger earthquake could arrive in the near future.

Around six thousand visitors and residents have left the island over the past few days for safety.

Although there have been no reports of damage, experts are worried about the risk of landslides due to the quakes.

What's happened?

The tremors began January 31, and since then hundreds of quakes have been recorded in the area.

According to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, a total of over 555 earthquakes have been recorded over the past seven days in the area between Amorgos and Santorini.

The neighbouring islands of Anafi, Ios and Amorgos have also been affected.

Authorities have asked residents and tourists to take safety measures and schools have been closed on all four islands until the end of the week.

Santorini is one of Greece's most popular travel destinations, with nearly 3.5 million visitors every year.

Even though the island lies above a inactive volcano, Greek authorities said that the recent minor earthquakes were down to tectonic plate movements rather than volcanic activity.

Scientists are closely monitoring the quakes, but have said that the seismic activity could continue for many more weeks.

Emergency crews and experts have arrived on Santorini to help support the islanders and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has asked people on the island to "stay calm".