Spain's Granada closes iconic Alhambra after earthquake causes minor damage

Granada's iconic Alhambra palace closed its doors Tuesday after a 4.8-magnitude earthquake rattled the southern Spanish city, causing minor damage and injuring three people. The tremor, the strongest in a series to hit the region, sent debris falling and prompted emergency services to respond to more than 500 calls.

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That must be taken into account in terms of visitor safety, but not from the point of view of risk to our incredibly rich heritage.

Authorities reported that the historic Alhambra complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major tourist attraction, sustained minor damage to non-structural elements like battlements and plasterwork. While there was no significant structural damage or risk of collapse, the closure was a precautionary measure for visitor safety.

The earthquake occurred around 10:38 a.m. local time, with its epicenter near Alhendin, south of Granada. Residents rushed into the streets as buildings shook. Emergency services treated several people, mostly for anxiety attacks, with one girl requiring hospitalization. Videos circulating on social media showed streets littered with debris and some damage to vehicles.

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Everything came crashing down. It was terrifying.

Local officials urged residents to stay indoors and avoid standing near buildings, acknowledging the fear experienced, particularly by the elderly and children. The incident follows a series of earthquakes in the area, highlighting ongoing seismic activity in southern Spain.

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I know the anguish we experienced this morning, especially among our elderly people and young children, who had never experienced a situation like this before.