Repeated earthquakes are rattling Greece’s volcanic island of Santorini. The quakes are prompting authorities to dispatch rescuers with tents, a sniffer dog and drones and to shut down schools on four islands.

Thousands of people are fleeing the Greek island of Santorini as increased seismic activity spurs fears of a more powerful earthquake at the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history.

Some locals and travelers are choosing to preemptively evacuate the Greek island of Santorini amidst the spike in seismic activity.

The strongest earthquake recorded was magnitude 4.6 at 3:55 p.m. Sunday, at a depth of 14 kilometers (9 miles), the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.

Thousands of residents are fleeing the Greek island of Santorini amid a wave of seismic activity. Some 6,000 people have left the island by ferry since Sunday, according to local media, with emergency flights scheduled to leave on Tuesday.

Santorini, the popular Greek holiday island, is taking emergency measures in response to intense seismic activity

Santorini's earthquakes are intensifying as a rare earthquake swarm continues to rattle the Mediterranean's Aegean Sea. The earthquakes are probably caused by faults rather than volcanic activity.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged people on the island of Santorini to "stay calm" after an increase in seismic activity. His remarks come as schools were told to close on Monday and authorities advised against large gatherings in enclosed spaces across the island,