Hundreds of people, including British tourists, were evacuated from the Spanish town of Benaojan on Friday amid fears that the Montejaque Dam could burst. The evacuation, ordered at around 4pm local time, affected the Estacion de Benaojan neighbourhood, located between Malaga and Gibraltar.
Residents reported feeling the ground 'tremble' as water gushed through limestone caves beneath their homes. The Montejaque Dam, built in the 1920s but abandoned due to its inability to hold water, has become a concern after heavy rains from Storm Leonardo filled underground caves for the first time.
Around 200 locals and visitors were taken to a higher village, with emergency services going door-to-door to ensure everyone was safe. The mayor of Benaojan cited 'the risk of the Montejaque dam overflowing' as the reason for the evacuation.
Geologists suggest the tremors may have been caused by water forcing air and liquid through the caves. However, government representative Javier Salas stated there was no imminent danger and ruled out flooding in the area.
The evacuation comes as Storm Leonardo has already caused widespread flooding and evacuations across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Portugal has declared a state of emergency, describing the aftermath as a 'devastating crisis'. Storm Marta is expected to arrive on Saturday, potentially bringing further disruption.
