Santorini has been hit by a powerful, shallow 5.3 magnitude earthquake, which is the strongest to strike the Greek island during recent seismic activity in the area. The tremors were felt in Athens on Monday evening and measured a focal depth of 17km (10.6 miles).

ATHENS : An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hit the Greek island of Santorini late yesterday, officials said, the strongest yet of the thousands of tremors that have shaken the area, prompting thousands to leave. Felt as far away as Athens, the undersea quake caused neither damage nor injuries.

The Greek island of Santorini is recovering from the strong earthquake as the popular holiday destination continues to be rocked by hundreds of tremors. A quake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale struck late on Monday evening with an epicentre 14km southwest of Arkesini in the sea between Santorini and Amorgos, according to local media.

Hundreds more people were expected to leave Greece's Santorini island on Wednesday as tremors shook the popular summer tourist destination for a sixth day. About 10,000 people have left on ferries and planes in recent days as hundreds of small quakes were registered in the surrounding sea,

Emergency services were deployed in readiness and schools were closed after more than 200 temblors struck in the Aegean, near Santorini, within 48 hours.

Thousands of locals and travelers have evacuated the Greek island of Santorini amidst a spike in seismic activity.

Residents on the popular island of Santorini have experienced thousands of earthquakes this month while researchers have revealed a new magma chamber growing underneath the Kolumbo submarine volcano.

Santorini has been hit by the strongest earthquake in weeks. A 5.3-magnitude quake struck in the sea area between Santorini and Amorgos in the Cyclades - the strongest of the thousands detected last week.