Santorini rocked by strongest earthquake yet after thousands evacuate holiday island - The popular tourist island has been rocked by hundreds of small tremors in recent days

The threat of a more major earthquake seems to have subsided on the most visited of the Greek islands but experts disagree on the origin of the tremors that have caused 11,000 of the 15,000 permanent residents to flee.

Greece has declared a state of emergency on Santorini after hundreds of undersea earthquakes shook the resort island for nearly a week.

Experts say the Greek island of Santorini has been hit by more than 1,000 earthquakes, but they're not linked to the region's active volcanoes.

Schools on four Greek islands will remain closed through next week as earthquakes continue to rattle the region.

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.

Greek officials are warning those on the popular tourist island destination of Santorini to stay alert in the coming days due to increasing seismic activity which could mean a strong earthquake is possible.

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.

A state of emergency has been declred in Santorini, a volcanic island and popular tourist destination in Greece, as an 'earthquake swarm' that began earlier this month continues. Since 31 January, more than 800 tremors with a magnitude of three and above have been recorded.