An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 struck the southern Spanish city of Granada in the early hours of Saturday morning, causing damage to buildings and cars, but no injuries were reported.
The earthquake hit the metropolitan area of Alhendin just after 1 a.m., with debris strewn on the streets and damage to cars in the popular tourist city.
Andalusian emergency services rescued a number of people from damaged buildings.
Authorities declared an emergency in response to the quake.
Antonio Sanz Cabello, vice-president of the Andalusian regional government, advised residents to stay calm and avoid entering and exiting buildings unnecessarily.
Antonio Sanz Cabello also warned people to stay away from facades, cornices, balconies, walls, and other elements that could fall, in a post on social media.
Emergency crews are inspecting and cordoning off hazardous areas, and services received over 200 emergency calls following the earthquake.
The authorities raised the region’s emergency plan to level 1, and rescue efforts are ongoing.
The earthquake’s epicenter was near AlhendÃn, Granada, at a depth of about 10 km.
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Material damage was widespread, with fallen cornices, balcony debris, facade cracks, and vehicle damage, including cars, reported in the area.
Despite the damage, no casualties have been reported, and the city is working to recover from the earthquake.
Residents are advised to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines to minimize risk.
The city will need to recover and rebuild in the coming weeks and months.
The timing of the earthquake, which occurred at 1:04 a.m. local time, likely contributed to the lack of reported injuries, as many residents were indoors at the time of the quake.
The Andalusian regional government’s swift response to the emergency, including the declaration of an emergency and the deployment of rescue crews, helped to mitigate the impact of the disaster.
The damage caused by the earthquake was not limited to buildings and cars, as debris and rubble were also reported on the streets, posing a hazard to pedestrians and vehicles.
The Andalusian authorities’ decision to raise the region’s emergency plan to level 1 reflected the seriousness of the situation and the need for a coordinated response to the disaster.
As the people of Granada begin the process of recovery and rebuilding, they will likely face challenges in restoring damaged infrastructure and revitalizing affected communities.
