Granada, a popular Spanish tourist destination, remains on high alert after a 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of Saturday morning (August 15). Residents and tourists fled as the quake caused significant damage to houses and cars, though no injuries were reported.
Quake Details and Emergency Response
According to the National Geographic Institute, the quake occurred at exactly 1.04am with a depth of 2km, followed by another at 10km, with a latitude of 37.1147 degrees and -3.6618 degrees longitude. Antonio Sanz Cabello, vice-president of the Andalusian regional government, declared an emergency in a post on X.
He advised: "If you're in Granada, you've felt the earthquake, you're okay, and your home shows no damage, stay calm and avoid entering and exiting buildings unnecessarily. On the street, stay away from facades, cornices, balconies, walls, and other elements that could fall."
Preparedness for Aftershocks
Later on Saturday, Cabello said the region is 'prepared for possible aftershocks'. He wrote: "There are no serious personal injuries or material damages following the #Granada earthquake. We maintain the alert, monitoring, and are prepared for a possible response to aftershocks that may occur, with a risk of cornices or other elements falling."
He praised the Advanced Command Post, adding: "We continue to consolidate the perimeter after a night in which no advance of the fire has occurred. Now the work is focused on the east flank. Thanks to the entire population for their extraordinary behavior and to all the personnel who continue working in the area."
Seismic Swarm and Risk Assessment
The earthquakes in Granada are described as a 'seismic swarm', a series of moderate tremors concentrated in the same area that can last for days. Juan Vicente Cantavella, director of the National Seismic Network, noted that Granada is in a high-risk area, one of the most at risk on the Iberian Peninsula.
Marta Mayorga Fernandez, speaking to RTVE from Huetor Vega near Granada, said: "We could really feel the shaking; it was so powerful that it woke us up." She reported seeing 'quite a few' properties with damaged door fronts and friends whose belongings had fallen from shelves.
Granada experienced a 3.7 magnitude earthquake just last month, on July 26, which struck 3.73 miles (6km) south of the city.
