An earthquake of 5. 3 magnitude hit the Greek island of Santorini late Monday, officials said, the strongest yet of the thousands of tremors that have shaken the area, prompting thousands to leave.

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.

The Greek island of Santorini is recovering from the strong earthquake as the popular holiday destination continues to be rocked by hundreds of tremors. A quake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale struck late on Monday evening with an epicentre 14km southwest of Arkesini in the sea between Santorini and Amorgos, according to local media.

Residents on the popular island of Santorini have experienced thousands of earthquakes this month while researchers have revealed a new magma chamber growing underneath the Kolumbo submarine volcano.

Greece’s government declared a state of emergency on Santorini on Thursday after hundreds of undersea earthquakes shook the resort island for nearly a week. The ministry of civil protection’s announcement will provide authorities faster access to state resources.

Concern is growing over a series of repeated tremors that have been taking place near the volcanic Greek island of Santorini. Other nearby islands in the Aegean Sea have also been affected during the last few weeks but as the earthquakes have become stronger and more perceptible, it is Santorini that has become the focus of attention.

Repeated earthquakes are rattling Greece’s volcanic island of Santorini. Scientists say the quakes aren't related to a slight increase in volcanic activity that has also been registered recently.

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.