Greek PM says state monitoring Santorini quakes, urges calm

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek authorities are on alert, monitoring increased seismic activity on the island of Santorini, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday, urging the public to remain calm and follow the advice of the civil protection service.

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.

"Once again, I want to assure the residents of Santorini and the neighbouring islands which are being tested these days that the state mechanism is on their side," Mitsotakis said during a visit to the island, adding that preparedness and prevention were pivotal.

"We hope this phenomenon ends quickly and the island fully returns to its normal pace."

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Gareth Jones)