More than 11,000 people have already left the island of Santorini following a series of tremors in recent days.

Greece has declared a state of emergency on Santorini after a series of earthquakes shook the popular tourist island this week and prompted more than 10,000 residents and workers to evacuate.

A state of emergency was declared in Santorini on Thursday as the Greek island braces for a potentially powerful earthquake after days of near-constant tremors. The declaration issued by the Greek Civil Protection Ministry allows authorities to mobilize heavy equipment and emergency personnel for an evacuation without bureaucratic delays.