New rockslides were reported on Thursday on the road leading from the main port of Athinios to the rest of Santorini, an ominous development ahead of the coming Easter holiday period.
The port, essentially a large quay and pier facing the iconic Caldera and beneath the imposing cliffs of Santorini, is the main docking point for ferryboats and shuttles from the numerous cruise ships calling on the islands for most of the year.
The incident temporarily closed the road, causing traffic congestion as dozens of vehicles attempted to reach the port. Preliminary assessments suggest the landslides were triggered by heavy overnight rainfall, which caused soil erosion and dislodged rocks from the cliffside.
No injuries were reported, and the road has since reopened to traffic.
According to reports, passengers on the Blue Star 1 ferryboat experienced significant delays, as the vessel, scheduled to arrive at 15:25 and depart at 15:45, remained docked at the port for an extended period.
An aerial view of Santorini from the south, with the port shown at the bottom of the island, to the left.
