Magnitude 5 Earthquake Strikes Southern Spain, Causing Damage and Evacuations

A magnitude 5 earthquake jolted southern Spain near Granada in the early hours of Saturday, causing widespread panic and significant material damage. The seismic event occurred around 1:00 AM local time, prompting regional authorities to elevate the alert level to "operational situation 1."

Residents and tourists experienced a terrifying night as the earthquake shook the region. Multiple buildings were affected, with reports detailing collapsed walls, falling facade elements, and damaged vehicles from debris. A street was also reportedly fissured by the seismic movement. The Andalusian emergency services received approximately 200 calls reporting fallen objects, moving furniture, and vibrating structures.

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Stay calm if you haven't noticed any damage in your homes and avoid unnecessary entries and exits from buildings.

Emergency personnel, including firefighters and police, worked through the night to inspect buildings and secure affected areas. Several individuals were evacuated from damaged structures, and many people fled their homes and hotels, seeking safety outdoors. Images circulating on social media depicted scenes of people rushing into the streets.

Antonio Sanz Cabello, the vice-president of the regional government of Andalusia, urged residents to remain calm, advising those in undamaged homes to stay put and avoid unnecessary movement in and out of buildings. He also cautioned those outdoors to maintain distance from building facades, balconies, and other elements that could dislodge. As of now, authorities have not reported any injuries or fatalities resulting from the earthquake. The epicenter was located near Alhendín, at a shallow depth of approximately 2 kilometers, with a subsequent magnitude 2.6 aftershock recorded nearby.

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Those on the street should maintain distance from facades, balconies, cornices, walls, and other elements that could detach and collapse.