Municipal officials on the Greek island of Santorini have downplayed a recent rockfall in the cliffside village of Imerovigli, calling it a “common occurrence,” even as the incident renewed concerns about the impact of overdevelopment on the island's fragile volcanic cliffs.
The rockfall, which occurred on Sunday, alarmed tourists and residents.
In a statement, the Municipality of Thera said there was “no reason for concern” and that landslides are a “usual phenomenon” caused by the island’s unique geology.
Officials rejected media reports that construction work had triggered the rockfall, clarifying that all building is prohibited during the peak tourist season.
However, geologists have previously warned that the location is particularly vulnerable due to years of excessive development on the caldera slopes.
The island was also rattled by a series of earthquakes earlier this year, raising further questions about the terrain's stability.
The municipality said safety measures like fencing and shielding networks are in place.