Magnitude-5 earthquake hits Spain’s Granada, no casualties

A rare 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck southern Spain early on Saturday (August 15), damaging buildings and cars in and around the tourist city of Granada but causing no reported injuries, authorities said. The tremor hit at about 1 a.m. local time, with its epicentre in Alhendin, 10 km south of Granada, according to the National Geographical Institute.

Andalusia's top emergencies official, Antonio Sanz, said there was no serious structural or material damage and no casualties. He confirmed that the historic Alhambra palace, a Unesco World Heritage site, had not been affected. The fire service received 300 calls and performed 85 interventions, mainly in southern Granada and its metropolitan area. The Times of India noted that the quake came on the same day as a deadly magnitude-7.7 earthquake in eastern Indonesia.

Cracks appeared in buildings, and rubble and fallen ledges were reported. Sanz urged residents to remain cautious as buildings were being inspected and aftershocks could follow. The last earthquake of this magnitude in Andalusia occurred in 1955. A telephone line was set up to address public anxiety.